Would It Be Nice to Have Some of the Best Features of GUI and GOLD Available to 3270?

Author: Dale Sahlberg - 1 -

Would it be nice to have some of the best features of GUI and GOLD available to 3270?

GOLD has a drop down calendar that we can easily select a date from and it will automatically populate an expected arrival date field when clicked.

GOLD also has a drop down list for fields like the ADMIT PRIORITY that ensures data selection is easy.

The GUI (Graphical User Interface) design makes the screen quick to click and more "Windows" oriented.

What if 3270 PCs had features like a drop down list box or a calendar we can select a date from? That would speed up data entry and increase the accuracy of information.

Pre-admission example: A registrar (on September 28, 2006) is setting up a future admission date (pre-admit). That day was Thursday and the patient stated the doctor wants him to come in next Tuesday.

Well … what is the date for next Tuesday? Do we recite the rhyme “30 days hath September, April, June and November, all the rest …” or look around for a desk calendar?

In 3270, if we (SHIFT + F12) to go to the OAS help screen (PF24) we get Author: Dale Sahlberg - 2 - Could we get a calendar for that field? Better yet – can we just select a date from that calendar and it will automatically value the future ?

And can we really get lucky and have our own drop down list? Like a list of EMR doctors or a list of admitting complaints / diagnoses? How about adding voice so we can also hear what selection we made from the list?

There is good news … … the answer is YES!

How? By programming C++ code to create the calendar and the drop down list.

C++ supports procedural programming, data abstraction and object-oriented programming with access to low-level operating system code.

We can use C++ to create many GUI add on functions for 3270 Rumba applications:

a) Label i) Drop Down List b) Input field j) Combo Box c) Up Down Value box k) List File View d) Picture box l) Date & Time e) Tab m) Monthly Calendar f) Button n) Sliders g) Checkbox o) Progress Bars h) Radio button p) Status Bar

STANDALONE EXE FILES

The steps to create GUI functions: a) Write the C++ script to create the GUI control (calendar, list, buttons, etc) b) Compile the script into an EXE file

What is an executable file? It is a file in a format that the computer can directly execute. Original code is written in a source file (script). To transform a source file into an executable file, it is processed through a compiler. Unlike source files, executable files are in “machine language” and cannot be read by humans. Executable files have either a COM or EXE extension. Author: Dale Sahlberg - 3 -

You can run the EXE files by attaching them to short cut keys (ALT + C and ALT + L) or you can run them directly by “double clicking” the EXE from a folder.

Each file is small (only 190 KB) and runs in the background. A user can activate a function at will and the GUI control will remain in operation as long as needed. When no longer required, the calendar or list can be stopped easily. To turn the function off, just right click the corresponding or button in the bottom status bar and select the EXIT option. When the computer is shut down the GUI application will stop as well.

Since the 3270 OAS architecture preceded the Windows programs, we cannot change OAS but we can ADD to it. Like the program SideKick was to Lotus 1-2-3 in the early days, we can add on to OAS 3270 Rumba so the GUI calendar help screen functions as easily as the (SHIFT + F12) OAS help screen does … only now the keystrokes are ALT + C.

Loading the CALENDAR and LIST BOX files

The EXE files work with 3270 Rumba PCs (not dumb terminals) due to the need for the EXE files to have a file location to run from; dumb terminals have no corresponding hard drive for file storage.

STEP 1: Install the EXE files in the hard drive location of: C:\ or make a folder of your choice such as: C:\GUI_files Download and transfer the following EXE files into that location from my website:

STEP 2: Place shortcuts to these EXE files on the desktop or load the EXE files automatically in a startup batch file. Author: Dale Sahlberg - 4 - STEP 3: Simply click one or both of the icons to activate the applications; they will run persistently and be available the entire session.

STEP 4: Each application has a corresponding hotkey to activate:

ALT + L L for list

ALT + C C for calendar

STEP 5: Transfer and install the file to the hard drive location of: C:\ only. Do not make a folder of your choice.

NOTE: This procedure is used to load other EXE files as well.

How to use the GUI calendar and List Box for 3270 applications

For the ALT + C:

A) Access the 3270 screen you want to enter a date on – in the example it is a preadmission screen with a field:

B) Ensure the cursor is on the first position of that field (just like you do for a (SHIFT + F12) PF24 HELP screen operation). This is so the returned calendar date will fill out exactly the right field. The cursor must be in the first character of the field for the return PASTE operation to enter data.

C) Hit the ALT + C keys simultaneously. This will activate the calendar as shown below: Author: Dale Sahlberg - 5 -

Highlight a date (example: December 27, 2006) and select the button.

E) The system will return to the 3270 screen and automatically enter that date. The cursor must be in the first character of the field for the return PASTE operation to enter data.

NOTE:  This calendar can be used for all six digit MMDDYY date fields in any 3270 application – order processing, patient accounting, COR, admitting, discharge, insurance stop dates, etc…  The advantage to this calendar is that it actively returns values to 3270 fields just like an interactive PF24 HELP screen (SHIFT + F12).  No typing at all or pressing PF13 RETURN or PF14 RETURN keys – simply click what date you want and transfer.  The GUI help screen does not cause a branch away from the main OAS screen; instead it overlays a popup so you can still see the main screen underneath.  The GUI help screen does not require specialized code to populate a C____ type of field – it is an automatic paste of dates into the field. Author: Dale Sahlberg - 6 -

The LIST application below has voice integrated with the EXE file. In order to hear the voice, SAPI must be installed first. Microsoft Speech Application Program Interface (SAPI) permits the development of computer applications that can recognize speech. This technology is used for automated voice systems and other computer applications. You can download SAPI from Microsoft: http://download.microsoft.com/download/speechSDK/SDK/5.1/WXP/EN-US/SpeechSDK51.exe

After SAPI has been installed, then proceed with the following steps …

For the ALT + L:

STEP 1: Download and install the file in the hard drive location of: C:\ only. Do not store in any folder.

STEP 2: Type in the string of data you want or the values you want in that file.

In this example, it is a list of admitting complaints commonly used by patients. You can edit that text file with NOTEPAD to enter your own reasons for any field; this list can even to be used for a variety of fields with many values stored. Author: Dale Sahlberg - 7 -

STEP 3: Access the 3270 screen you want to enter a comment on – in the example it is an admission screen with a field called:

STEP 4: Ensure the cursor is on the first position of that field (just like you have to do for a PF24 HELP screen operation). This is so the returned comment will fill out exactly the right field.

STEP 5: Hit the ALT + L keys simultaneously. This will activate the drop down list as shown below. You can enter as many values as you need and the drop down list will have UP and DOWN arrows to show the whole range. Author: Dale Sahlberg - 8 -

STEP 6: Highlight the line you want and select the button.

STEP 7: The system will return to the 3270 screen and automatically enter that full comment line. The computer will also “speak” that line for the user to fully hear the selection.

The cursor must be in the first character of the field for the return PASTE operation to enter data.

NOTE:  This drop down list can have a multitude of values used across many fields. Example: numeric charge codes, order reasons and service codes all in the same text file.  The advantage to this drop down list it that it actively returns values to 3270 fields just like a 3270 interactive PF24 HELP screen (SHIFT + F12).  No typing at all or pressing PF13 RETURN or PF14 RETURN keys – simply click what line of values you want and transfer.  The GUI help screen does not cause a branch away from the main screen; instead it overlays a popup so you can still see the main screen underneath.  The GUI help screen does not require specialized code to populate a field – it is an automatic paste so there is no need anymore for complex code to DVA values into just the right field. Author: Dale Sahlberg - 9 - C++ can also be used to connect with the US Post Office to find a zip code or verify an address.

US POST OFFICE ZIP CODE INQUIRY

For the ALT + Z:

1) Load the EXE files in the local C:\ drive.

2) The starts the inquiry with an ALT + Z.

3) Access the 3270 screen with a city and state you want to find a zip for – in the example it is an admission screen:

4) Ensure the TAB (cursor) is on the first position of the CITY field just like you do for a SHIFT + F12 HELP screen operation. This is so the EXE file can copy the CITY and STATE data.

5) Hit the ALT + Z keys simultaneously. This will activate the US Post Office Inquiry function. The EXE program will copy the CITY and STATE data from the screen and format it into a URL inquiry. .

6) The ZIP CODE LOOKUP screen data was automatically filled in by the EXE program. Author: Dale Sahlberg - 10 -

7) The will be automatically selected by the EXE program - the next screen then displays the city and state zip code results.

8) When you have viewed the screen, copy (CTRL C) the zip code, then simply close the web page and return to the 3270 screen to paste (CTRL V) in the ZIP CODE.

NOTE:  This zip code lookup can be used for any city and state fields in all 3270 applications.  No typing at all – the EXE program transfers the city and state for you and fills in the corresponding fields at the US Post Office screen.  The GUI zip code lookup does not cause a branch away from the main OAS screen; instead it overlays a popup so you can still see the main screen underneath. Author: Dale Sahlberg - 11 -

US POST OFFICE ADDRESS VERIFICATION

For the ALT + Z:

1) Load the address EXE files in the local C:\ drive.

2) The starts the inquiry with an ALT + Z.

3) Access the 3270 screen with an address to verify with the US Post Office – in this example it is an admission screen:

4) Ensure the TAB (cursor) is on the first position of the ADDRESS field just like you do for a SHIFT + F12 HELP screen operation. This is so the EXE file can copy the data.

5) Hit the ALT + Z keys simultaneously to activate the US Post Office Inquiry function. The EXE program will copy the address, city, state and zip from the screen and format it into a URL inquiry. Author: Dale Sahlberg - 12 - 6) The USPS website will display the ADDRESS LOOKUP screen. The data was automatically filled in by the EXE program.

7) The will be automatically selected by the EXE program - the next screen then displays the address verification results.

8) When you have viewed the screen, copy (CTRL C) any corrected data. In this case the Zip Code 33601 was wrong - should be 33613. Then simply close the web page and return to the 3270 screen to paste (CTRL V) in the correct ZIP CODE. Author: Dale Sahlberg - 13 -

NOTE:  This address verification can be used for any 3270 applications.  No typing at all – the EXE program transfers the address for you and fills in the corresponding fields at the US Post Office screen.  The GUI zip code lookup does not cause a branch away from the main OAS screen; instead it overlays a popup so you can still see the main screen underneath.

If the address was not valid, the post office will have the following message:

If the address exists but is not deliverable (vacant lot, warehouse, woods) the post office will have the following message: Author: Dale Sahlberg - 14 -

If the address needs more information (apartment, division, lot number), the post office will have the following message: Author: Dale Sahlberg - 15 -

C++ Encoder Example

The ALT + E started the Encoder:

1) A complete ICD-9 file (A to Z) was loaded into a file with a delimiter of ; Example of part of the data is below for the B section:

2) The medical records ADD/REV/DEL CLASSIFICATIONS screen was accessed that had the diagnoses / procedure fields:

3) The cursor was on the first position of the code field (just like a SHIFT + F12 HELP screen operation). (This is so the returned description and code will fill out exactly the right field. The cursor must be in the first character of the field for the return PASTE operation to enter data.)

4) The ALT + E keys were selected - this activated the encoder.

5) Note: The system will immediately go to the first Category letter you type in to start a search. This makes the search extremely fast - all the way to a Z category. Author: Dale Sahlberg - 16 -

6) Selected the drop down button to view the full range. Selected a line with a description and a code. (Headers and titles will be ignored – only a line with a ; delimiter will be accepted. The headers and titles were included to help with finding diagnoses & procedure categories. This search started with the C section. The Cachexia: dehydration was selected.)

7) Then selected the button to transfer the data.

8) The system automatically parsed the data and put the code and description in the fields on the screen.

9) Note: The Encoder stays active for use by all the CODE fields on the screen. Author: Dale Sahlberg - 17 -

Email Example

Email is emerging as a preferred method of contact by some patients (instead of USPS mail or a phone call) due to confidential issues (cancer), easy computer / cell phone access and because the information can be stored in a Personal Folder.

a) 3270 collects the EMAIL address during registration in a field called 1EMAIL.

b) A directory called INSTRUCTIONS was loaded with PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS in two formats: TEXT – for email purposes and WORD – for printing documents with images.

Author: Dale Sahlberg - 18 -

c) When a user wants to email patient instructions, the 3270 screen below is accessed that will pull in the 1EMAIL data if it was valued. If this field is blank, the email address can be typed in as a temporary value (it will not be retained - only the patient management revision screen can permanently add or change this field). This menu can be used by other 3270 applications, such as order processing, COR, medical records, etc…

The ALT + E will start the “Email or Print” EXE program.

d) When ALT E is selected, a C++ menu appears asking the user if they would like to print or email the

PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS. The print option is for cases where the patient is in-house and wants a printed copy of the information. If just ENTER is pressed, the default option is set for sending an email.

NOTE: This C++ menu can also be accessed at any time in GOLD with a button. Author: Dale Sahlberg - 19 -

e) In this example, the EMAIL option was chosen which brings up a menu to select a subject to send in

an email. Author: Dale Sahlberg - 20 - f) C++ will then open up that chosen document, parse the data, access the email program and value the TO, SUBJECT and MESSAGE sections. Then the C++ EXE program will send the following email and close automatically.

g) For printing, this menu displays and it would automatically print a selected document at the default printer assigned to the user: Author: Dale Sahlberg - 21 -

Example:

Now a hospital can provide a 3270 PC user with GUI controls (just like GOLD) to help with data

entry.

Dale Sahlberg www.ecsahlberg.com/Help.html [email protected]