Clinical Information (Web App)

Respiratory refers to all breathing related actions. A Practitioner can perform various simple tests to determine whether a Patient has an irregular respiratory system, and judge whether the respiratory system requires further, more in-depth testing done. 

To access the Respiratory section, the user will need to open a General Examination form. For more information regarding the General Examination form, please refer to the user manual: General Examination Overview.

• The contents of this user manual will consist of the following information:
• Signs of Distress
• Chest Wall
• Patterns of Breathing
• Palpation
• Percussion
• Auscultation
• General Notes

• This user manual will start on the General Examination form, Review of Systems panel.  

• Click on the Review of Systems panel.

• The Review of Systems panel will expand.

• Click on the Respiratory sub-panel.

• The Respiratory sub-panel will expand.

• Click on the image to open the Video Capture screen.

• For more information regarding the Video Capture screen, please refer to the user manual: How to Upload an Image/Photo.

Signs of Distress

One of the most important observations a Practitioner can make when assessing the respiratory system is checking for signs of distress in the Patient. These signs show up in various different ways, from grunting and flaring nostrils, to skin colour changes and positioning of the body. Any signs of distress are a red flag and require additional observation.

• Click on the Signs of Distress button once to turn the button green.

• The Signs of Distress button will turn green, which is an indication of normal results.

• Click on the Signs of Distress button a second time, which turns the button red. The red is an indication that changes were made within the button, and is not within normal range.

• Click in the General Notes text box to make any necessary notes. The General Notes field is a free text field.

Please Note: Click on the Signs of Distress button for a third time to deselect the button, and collapse all of the information found within it. Any notes made within the button will remain once deselected.

Chest Wall

The chest wall makes up all of the protective structures surrounding the lungs and heart. The ribs, breastbone, muscles, skin, and fat make up the chest wall. These all play a vital role in the protection of the underlying organs. 

• Click on the Chest Wall button once to turn the button green.

• The Chest Wall button will turn green, which is an indication of normal results.

• Click on the Chest Wall button a second time, which turns the button red. The red is an indication that changes were made within the button, and is not within normal range.

• Click in the General Notes text box to make any necessary notes. The General Notes field is a free text field.

Please Note: Click on the Chest Wall button for a third time to deselect the button, and collapse all of the information found within it. Any notes made within the button will remain once deselected.

Patterns of Breathing

A healthy set of lungs will follow a normal pattern of breathing, with strong and effective inhalation and exhalation. Often, when a Patient is having issues with lung function, the breathing patterns will become erratic and abnormal. It is important for a Practitoner to take note of these breathing patterns, and to assess, whether the Patient requires further testing.

• Click on the Patterns of Breathing button once to turn the button green.

• The Patterns of Breathing button will turn green, which is an indication of normal results.

• Click on the Patterns of Breathing button a second time, which turns the button red. The red is an indication that changes were made within the button, and is not within normal range.

• Click in the General Notes text box to make any necessary notes. The General Notes field is a free text field.

Please Note: Click on the Patterns of Breathing button for a third time to deselect the button, and collapse all of the information found within it. Any notes made within the button will remain once deselected.

Palpation

Palpation is the examination of the chest, only using one's hands. The importance of the Practitioner performing palpation is to determine if the respiratory system is of correct size, shape and is positioned in the correct place.

• Click on the Palpation button once to turn the button green.

• The Palpation button will turn green, which is an indication of normal results.

• Click on the Palpation button a second time, which turns the button red. The red is an indication that changes were made within the button, and is not within normal range.

• Click in the General Notes text box to make any necessary notes. The General Notes field is a free text field.

Please Note: Click on the Palpation button for a third time to deselect the button, and collapse all of the information found within it. Any notes made within the button will remain once deselected.

Percussion

Percussion is a test performed by the Practitioner by tapping on specific spots of the Patient's chest. The chest percussion test is usually done by hand, but can also be performed using an electronic device that causes vibrations in the chest.

• Click on the Percussion button once to turn the button green.

• The Percussion button will turn green, which is an indication of normal results.

• Click on the Percussion button a second time, which turns the button red. The red is an indication that changes were made within the button, and is not within normal range.

• Click in the General Notes text box to make any necessary notes. The General Notes field is a free text field.

Please Note: Click on the Percussion button for a third time to deselect the button, and collapse all of the information found within it. Any notes made within the button will remain once deselected.

Auscultation

Auscultation is the action of using a stethoscope to listen to the sounds within the body. With regards to the respiratory system, the Practitioner will be listening to the lungs and looking out for any abnormalities in the sounds.

• Click on the Auscultation button once to turn the button green.

• The Auscultation button will turn green, which is an indication of normal results.

• Click on the Auscultation button a second time, which turns the button red. The red is an indication that changes were made within the button, and is not within normal range.

• Click in the General Notes text box to make any necessary notes. The General Notes field is a free text field.

Please Note: Click on the Auscultation button for a third time to deselect the button, and collapse all of the information found within it. Any notes made within the button will remain once deselected. 

General Notes

Any additional notes can be made within the General Notes button.

• Click on the General Notes button once to turn the button green.

• The General Notes button will turn green, which is an indication that no notes were made within the button.

• Click on the General Notes button a second time, which turns the button red. The red is an indication that notes were made within the button.

• Click in the General Notes text box to make any necessary notes. The General Notes field is a free text field.

Please Note: Click on the General Notes button for a third time to deselect the button, and collapse all of the information found within it. Any notes made within the button will remain once deselected.

• Click on the All Normal button on the Respiratory panel if all of the Patient's results have come back normal.
  

• The Respiratory panel, and the buttons found within it, will all turn green, which is an indication of normal results.

Please Note: When the All Normal button is Clicked, any red buttons within the panel will also turn green. The notes within the button will, however, remain. 

• Click on the Close button to exit the Clinical screen without saving.

• Click on the Save and Close drop-up arrow for more options: