The majority of patients with a rash present first to see a provider who is not a dermatologist. We routinely see patient’s on their 1st visit for a rash, and sometimes see them for subsequent visits when they have not improved. It is often a challenge for patients to arrange dermatology follow-up (cost being a major factor) so we are charged with making the proper diagnosis.
I write this article to make clinicians aware of Visual DX, which is available for use on BS&W workstations by going to VisualDX.com. As long as you know how to properly describe rashes you can plug information into the page and will be provided with a Differential Diagnosis of what the rash is, and also be given information on how to treat the rash. I have been using Visual DX for years and have found it to be a tremendous help.
I find it most useful to analyze the rash on Visual DX while actively in the room, but with the adoption of the Epic EMR you can also load a picture of the rash into your chart through the Haiku APP and remain HIPPA compliant.
There is also a Visual DX APP that you can download on your phone, just make sure to sign-up for the service on a workstation so you are not charged for signing up. (There is an Add-on that will analyze the rash for you based on a picture you take on your phone, it’s $99/year, I have not purchased it, as I find the basic version works adequately for me).
APP Update
"Can you help me with a rash? " (Visual DX usually can)
William Huggins, MHS, PA-C
System Director of APP Education
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January 2020, ISSUE 1
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