Problem categories and list

The Problem List provides a list of common presenting medical ailments and issues. This list can be used when entering medical notes on the patient record. Categories are used to organize and search the problem list. You must set up your problem categories before setting up the Problem List. 

Problem categories

Navigate to Controls > Problems > Categories.

Add a problem category

1. Click New.  
2. Enter a Description, up to 50 alphanumerical characters/spaces.  
3. Click OK. 

Update a problem category

1. Click Update.  
2. Modify the Description, up to 50 alphanumerical characters/spaces.
3. Click OK.   

Delete a problem category

1. Click Delete.  
2. Click Yes or No to confirm. 
3. Click OK.
   • If the category has problems associated with it, a message displays. Click OK.
   • To continue to delete the category:
     • Remove/reassign the associated problems to other categories from the Problem List.
     • Delete the category.

Problem list

Navigate to Controls > Problems > Problem List.

Add a problem to the list

1. Click New.
2. Enter an ID to use for this problem. There is a maximum of 6 alphanumerical characters.
3. Enter the description of the problem, up to 50 alphanumerical characters/spaces.
4. Select a default of Major or Minor from the Severity drop-down list.
5. Select a default of Active, Acute, Chronic, Resolved or Verified Incorrect from the State drop-down list.
6. Leave the status as Active. Change the status to inactive only if you do not want to use this problem anymore.
7. Select one or more categories.
8. Click OK.

Update a problem on the list

1. Search for the problem by category and/or description. Click/clear Include inactives and Search for word as needed.
2. Click Update.
3. Modify the any of the following as needed:
   • Problem Description, up to 50 alphanumerical characters/spaces.
   • Default Severity
   • Default State
   • Problem Status: Inactive problems display in the list with an (I).
4. Add to or remove from categories. At least one category must be selected, even if inactivating.
5. Click OK.

Delete a problem from the list

1. Search for the problem by category and/or description. Click/clear Include inactives and Search for word, as needed.
2. Click Delete.
3. Click Yes or No to confirm.
4. If the problem is associated with a patient record, it cannot be deleted.
   • Click okay on the message that displays.
   • Inactivate the problem.

Additional information

Related reports

These Cornerstone reports provide information from the actions outlined in this article. Each report has its own security access under the Reports tab of the Security Setup window. 

• Problem List Setup report 
• Patient History report