Frequently Asked Questions
Any information regarding equipment, supplies, recommendations,
vendors, and similar information, are provided for your convenience only. Hann's
On Software makes no guarantee as to the accuracy of the information or suitability
of these items for your use.
What equipment will
we need
Ascend software speed and storage capacity
will vary from site to site based upon the equipment/network in use, pharmacy workload,
census, other network traffic, and similar variables. Therefore you may find that
your results/needs differ from our estimates. The recommendations are "best estimates"
and should not be taken as a "guarantee" of performance/capacity. They are based
upon a "reasonable" benefit vs. cost ratio, and will change from time to time as
higher performance equipment becomes available at lower prices. If you have questions,
please contact our office.
View hardware requirements
Other Factors To Consider:
Database- HOS requires
MS SQL Server database for use with its products, if you will be
using 4 or more workstations. Facilities employing remote workstations,
using facility-wide (shared) servers, and those providing physicians,
nurses or other departments with software access, must use a SQL Server database. SQL Server operates under the Windows
2000 or NT Server operating systems. SQL provides a high degree of database stability,
offers excellent security (i.e., to meet HIPAA requirements), minimizes network
traffic, provides greater data storage capabilities, and can be scaled upward to
support large numbers of database connections. SQL operates on a dedicated server
and typically requires some local IS support.
MSDE databases (i.e., the
desktop SQL version) can also be used with our products in some situations. MSDE
is usually adequate for 1 station "desktop" installations, but we do not recommend
sharing an MSDE database with more than 3 stations. MSDE performance can be
expected to decline when the database is shared over a network, as more stations
are added, and as the MSDE database grows. MSDE database storage capacity
is also limited to 2 GB which typically equates to less than 2 years of storage
space for small facilities. Many MSDE users have to convert to a SQL Server
database to improve performance or to meet growing needs. Please be aware that increases
in third party database size (e.g., First Databank) may also, at some future point,
require that you move from a MSDE to a SQL Server database.
Dedicated Server and 100mbs network equipment
- HOS recommends using a dedicated server with
SQL Server for optimal performance. Some users may prefer to use small, peer-to-peer Windows-based networks (with a
MSDE database)
and non-dedicated servers to reduce costs. HOS
also recommends 100 mbs NICs/hubs for optimal performance, rather than 10 mbs equipment.
To
increase the speed
of your equipment/network -
We generally recommend: (1) switch from an Access
or MSDE database to a SQL Server database (2) make servers dedicated (3) switch
to 100 Base-T network equipment (4) add more RAM to workstations
(5) add more RAM to servers (6) use faster microprocessors
(7) reduce/filter unnecessary network traffic. (8) replace faulty hubs/switches. (This is a strong possibility if
Ascend suddenly starts running significantly slower).
Windows and Novell server versions: Ascend-HI
servers must support long file names. Windows NT v4, 2000 and XP support long
file names and support SQL Server databases. Although Novell v4 (and higher) support
long file names, Novell servers do not support SQL Server databases.
Terminal Server/Citrix/Remote Desktop: We
currently have clients running Ascend-HI through Remote Desktop. We also have clients
running Ascend-IV and Ascend-IP through Terminal Server and Citrix, and Ascend-HI
is built with similar technology.
Database Conversion: If you are converting
from Ascend-IV, there is an import process that will take most of your data and
copy it into the Ascend-HI database. The import does not delete the data from Ascend-IV,
so you can import and still use the data in Ascend-IV.
What type of labels will we need?
We can provide general
label and printer recommendations. However, each home infusion business differs
in the types of labels and printers they might need. The percentage/mix of your
dispensed products should be one guide (e.g., syringes vs TPNs vs piggybacks vs
large volume IV solutions vs injectables vs oral, etc),
convenience/efficiency could be another, and the physical location of preparation/dispensing
areas for each product type could be another consideration.
The following are examples of businesses, their product mix, the labels they
use, and how they use them. You should
perform a similar analysis of your business to determine what your label/printer
needs might be.
Business #1 uses
only one printer and one label size (4x3 label) for all products. This works well
for them because the vast majority of their orders fit on this label. A small but
acceptable percentage of their orders require more than one label, or trimming down
of the label. [Example: 85% of their products are IVPB and Large volume IVs which
usually fit the 4x3 label. 10% of their products are TPN orders and in this case,
they often need 2 labels per bag to accommodate all the ingredients. They also do
syringes for 5% of their volume. In this case they cut-down the label, or affix
the label as a "flag" on the syringe. The few injectable and oral medication orders
they do are also directed to this printer.]
Business #2 uses two
printers with two different label sizes, one for syringes (a 4x1 label; 50% of their
volume) and one for the rest (a 4x4 label for IVPB/LVP/TPN products; the other 50%
of their orders). An occasional TPN order uses 2 labels. They don't do any oral
or injectable orders. Business #2 avoids
the compromises that business #1 accepts because their product mix differs and they
don't want to spend time physically manipulating labels. They also selected a 4x4
label, rather a standard 4x3 label, to accommodate additional information that is
required by their licensing board.
Business #3 uses three
printers with three different label sizes, one for syringes and injectables (a 4x1
label; 40% of their volume), one for IVPB/LVP orders and oral prescriptions (a 4x3
label; 30% of their mix) and one for TPNs (a 4x5 label; 30% of their orders). Business
#3 uses more printers but they are more efficient (the labels require less user
manipulation).
Business #4 uses four
printers with four different label sizes, one for syringes (a 4x1 label; 20% of
their volume), one for IVPB/LVP orders 4x3; 20% of their mix), one for TPNs (a 4x5
label; 25% of their orders) and one for oral medications and injectables (4x3; 35%
of the mix). Business #4 uses more printers and are also more efficient. Furthermore,
in their case, oral meds and injectables are filled in another room from the IV
products and it is more convenient to have a dedicated printer for those products
located in that area.
Labels for thermal printers: Hann's On Software recommends
thermal label printers. Zebra Technologies provides Zebra and Elton "direct
thermal" (recommended) and "thermal transfer" printers. All thermal printers
require special thermal labels. The "thermal transfer" versions also require ink-film
whereas the "direct thermal" printers do not require ink-film. Thermal
label sources include (other vendors are
likely available)
Zebra:
http://www.zebra.com/PA/Supplies/category_labels.htm.
Shamrock:
http://www.shamrocklabels.com/sss01.htm
Corporate Express Imaging:
http://imaging.cexp.com/
What kind of report paper will we need?
Standard white laser printer paper is ideal for most
reports. [Note: A fast laser printer should normally be used for
reports when using Hann's On Software's Windows programs. A printing speed of 10
pages/minute (or faster) is essential for printing large reports.]
Do I need to buy equipment from
HOS?
No. You can obtain the equipment, network and setup services
that are best for you from your own local vendors. We will be happy to work with
your vendors to facilitate this process.
Can you import my ICD9 Codes?
We currently provide our customers with ICD9 codes at no additional cost. We can
also import Ingenix ICD9 codes into your database.
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