Configure Event Chain Intervals

An Interval is defined for events within an event chain to determine the time between the previous and next event in the chain. The interval specifies when the next event in the chain starts. For example, you can have a two-event chain with an interval of 15 minutes applied at the end time of the first event. Therefore, the start time of the second event equals the end time of the first event plus 15 minutes.

Note: In the Appointment Book window, you can override the appointment date and start time for any event in the event chain except the first event. To do so, double-click an event in the Resources field on the Add Appointment window. In the Specify Date/Time for Event fields, select the desired date and time for the event.

In NextGen® Enterprise PM, select Admin > Scheduling Admin.
Note: When you select the Enable Enterprise Appointment Scheduling option in Practice Preferences window, the Scheduling Admin option on the Admin menu displays the following two options:
- Enterprise
- Practice
The Scheduling Administration window opens.
Select the Event Chains tab.
Select the event chain to configure.
Right-click and select Open.
The Edit Event Chain window opens.
The Member Events section of the Edit Event Chain window displays the existing events in the event chain with the following information:
- Event: Name of the event.
- Duration: Default duration defined for the event.
- Interval: Time between the event and the next event.
- Scale: The interval is based on Minutes, Hours or Days.
- Apply To: The interval or scale applies to the Start Time, End Time or Appt Date for the event.
In the Member Events list, right-click an event and select Open.
The Event Chain Interval window opens.
In the Time interval before the next event section, define the time between the currentand the next event in the chain.
- Interval: Select the up and down arrows to select the time that must pass before the next event can be scheduled. The minimum value is 0, and the maximum value is 720.
  - 720 Minutes = 12 Hours
  - 720 Hours = 30 Days
  - 720 Days = 2 Years
  Note:
  
  If the Scale field is set to Minutes, then the Interval field increases up or down by the Default Time Interval set in the Appt Scheduling tab of the Practice Preferences window.
  
  If the Allow interval overrides option is selected in the Appt Scheduling tab of the Practice Preferences window, then the Interval field increases up or down by five minutes.
  
  If the Scale field is set to Hours or Days, then the Interval field increases up or down by an hour or day.
- Scale: Select if the defined interval is for number of Days, Hours, or Minutes.
  Note: You must select the Allow events to span multiple days on the Add Event Chain or Edit Event Chain window, for the Days option to be available in the Scale field.
- Apply To: Select whether the defined interval and scale applies to the Start Time, End Time, or Appt Date of the current event.
  Note:
  
  If the Scale field is set to Hours or Minutes, then you can select End Time or Start Time.
  
  If the Scale field is set to Days, then Appt Date is the default and you cannot change it.
In the Schedule the next event within section, do one of the following:
- Select the Schedule Next Event Immediately after interval option if the next event should be scheduled using the Time Interval before the next event defined.
  Note: If you select the Schedule Next Event Immediately after interval option, the Interval and Scale fields in the Schedule the next event within section are disabled and unavailable.
- If the Schedule Next Event Immediately after interval option is not selected, then you can define the maximum amount of time that can pass between the current and the next event in the Interval and Scale fields.
  Note: This time is considered if the defined Time Interval before the next event is not available in the Appointment Book window.
  
  For example, an event chain includes a Physical Exam event followed by a Lab event. The Time interval before the next event is set so that the Lab starts 15 minutes after the end time of the Physical Exam. If the patient is unable to make it to the Lab event, then the Schedule Next Event Immediately after interval can be set to three Days to ensure the patient returns within that time frame for the Lab event.
Select OK to save the changes and close the window.
An interval cannot be added to the last event in the chain.
Select OK to close the Edit Event Chain window.

Configure Event Chain Intervals

Recommendations

Add Event Chain Options

Add or Modify an Event Chain

Clear an Event Chain Interval

Schedule an Event Chain

Add or Modify an Event

Schedule an Event Chain over Multiple Days

Add Event Chain Options

Add or Modify an Event Chain

Clear an Event Chain Interval

Schedule an Event Chain

Add or Modify an Event

Schedule an Event Chain over Multiple Days