Overview
Alerts are used to highlight important client or patient information within Access Rio EPR. They help ensure that key clinical or safety-related information is visible to users accessing the record.
Before you begin
⚠️Important:
Users with access to the Clinical Portal can view active alerts associated with a client or patient record.
Removed alerts are retained within the Alert History and can still be viewed for audit purposes.
If alert details contain sensitive information, consider recording the information elsewhere in Rio (for example, Progress Notes) and using the alert comments to indicate where the information can be found.
Available alert types vary depending by organisation's configuration.
View active alerts
To view alerts recorded against a client or patient:
Open Clinical Portal.
Search for and select the required client or patient.
Select the Alerts icon.
The Alerts screen will open and display all active alerts associated with the record.
Alert icon indicators
If no alerts exist, the Alerts icon will display without a date.
If active alerts are present, the icon will display the date of the most recently added alert.
Add a new alert
To create a new alert:
Open the Alerts screen, then select Add Alert.
Choose an Alert Type.
Enter the Alert Date.
Select a Priority if the field is displayed.
Add any relevant comments.
If required, select This is a Significant Alert to make the alert visible on the Significant Events screen.
Select Save.
The alert will be added to the client's active alerts list.
📌Note: Local configuration determines whether the Priority or Next Review Date fields are displayed.
Remove an alert
If an alert is no longer required or was created in error, it can be removed.
Open the Alerts screen.
Select the checkbox next to the alert you wish to remove.
Select Remove Selected.
Enter the End Date.
Select a Removal Reason if the field is displayed.
Add any additional comments if required.
Select Save.
The alert will be removed from the active alerts list.
⚠️Important: Removing an alert does not permanently delete it. The alert remains available within the Alert History.
Review an alert
Alerts can be reviewed to ensure they remain accurate and relevant.
Update the next review date
Open the Alerts screen.
Select the Next Review Date link for the alert.
Enter a new date in the Next Review Date field.
Select Update.
The review date will be updated.
Record a full alert review
Open the Alerts screen.
Select the Next Review Date link for the alert.
Select Add Review.
Enter the Actual Review Date if different from today's date.
Select the appropriate Outcome of Review.
Select Save.
The review will be recorded. If the review outcome is to remove the alert, the alert will be ended.
Understand alert severity levels
When configured, active alerts appear as pop up notifications requiring acknowledgement before proceeding.
Information
The system displays an informational message.
Select OK to continue.
Warning
The system displays an displays a warning requiring a decision.
Users are presented with Yes or No options.
Prevention
Prevention is the highest severity level.
Users cannot continue until the alert has been acknowledged or addressed.
When multiple alerts are triggered, Prevention alerts take precedence over Warning and Information alerts.
View alerts in Access Rio Observations
Patient alerts are also available within Access Rio Observations on the Patient Profile screen.
The Patient Alerts screen displays:
Alert name
Priority
Alert date
Comments
Alerts are displayed in priority order and then alphabetically by alert name.