CareStack offers the ability to create a single or recurring block slot that will enable users to add not just a one-time block slot but also recurring ones depending on the practice's requirements.
To create a blocked time slot for a Clinician, perform the following steps:
- Navigate to the Diary.
- Click and drag to create an Appointment.
- The Appointment slide-out will open up.
- Click Block Slot on the left-hand side of the Appointment slide-out.
Or
- Right-click and drag on the intended time slots to open the block slot modal.
On the Block Slot modal, enter the required information.
- Time*: Enter the blocked slot's start and end time.
Note: Ensure that you have selected the Time to reflect the intended Duration for the blocked slot, besides choosing the Clinician (if two Clinicians are listed in an Surgery). In the case of a single Clinician, it will be auto-populated when blocking a slot. |
- Duration*: The duration of the time slot will be displayed based on the Time input.
- Clinician: Select the clinician for the time slot.
- Surgery*: Choose the surgeries where the time slots should apply.
- Block Colour: Choose a colour to quickly identify.
- Recurrence Mode: Choose whether you want the slot to recur One Time, Daily, Weekly, or Monthly.
- If you choose the Recurrence Mode as Daily, then an additional field will appear right below that lets users select a Start and End Date.
- If you choose Weekly, users will have the ability to select the Days of Week as well as be able to Repeat it Every week by choosing the desired no of week(s) provided within the drop-down. Note: The Repeat Every dropdown option offers users the ability to choose up to 8 weeks in one go.
- While selecting Monthly, you can choose the particular day(s) of the week and select the desired week that you wish to apply it for by making use of the Applicable on Every Week(s) option.
| Tip: You can block a slot for recurring blocks for up to a year. |
- Block Note: Enter the block note, which will appear on the blocked slot.
- Click Block Slot to confirm.
| Note: Checkmark the Download Block Slot Conflict Report option to download the block slot conflict report when there is a conflicting appointment. This button will only be accessible if there is a conflicting appointment. It gives a list of all block slots the user is trying to add, but these slots might be conflicting with an already booked appointment. |
| Note: When selecting a Clinician, you will find all inactive Clinicians listed at the bottom and cannot be chosen. |
| Note: If the 'Double Booking' feature is enabled for the account, the Download Block Slot Conflict Report option will not appear since users do not have to worry about block slots overlapping with any appointment. |
- The image below illustrates how the Blocked Slot appears in the Diary.
- The image below illustrates how the Blocked Slot appears in the Diary even when the slot falls outside regular working hours.
- Regardless of the extended working hours setting, the Clinician Name and Notes will be visible in the appointment tile.
Tip: Whenever you hover over a block slot, it will display the details after a short delay. |
Unblock a Recurring Block Slot
Let's say you created a recurring block slot but do not need it for a specific date and time. In such a scenario, perform the steps below.
- Right-click on the Recurring Block Slot on the Diary.
- Click Unblock this Slot.
| Note: You can also choose to Unblock this and the following Slots, or Unblock All the recurring slots. |
| Note: The detailed configuration options, including the ability to select recurrence modes, manage multiple surgeries, and customise block colours, significantly improve scheduling flexibility. Furthermore, the option to unblock recurring slots allows users to keep their calendars accurate and up-to-date, quickly resolving any conflicts promptly. |
Practices can use this simple guide to learn about creating a recurring slot for a Clinician and block a slot in CareStack.