Question
Is it important to enter the proper "Start time" for a client when entering already occurred appointments in the activity log?
Answer
The only two set rules on "start time" for an appointment in the activity log are:
1. If you are trying to save an appointment for the exact same time. For example, if you save one appointment at 2 p.m. and then try and save another at 2 p.m. on the same day for the same service provider, a message will pop up and advise you of this and will ask if you want to save anyways.
2. An appointment time cannot be outside of the time stamp of a program registration. For example, if while back-entering data a client is registered into a program and no time is entered, Catalyst will automatically use the current time (based on the system being used). This could cause a conflict if an appointment is entered with a start time prior to the time stamped in the program registration. Catalyst will flag this as an appointment cannot occur prior to the program registration.
Start time and end times are relevant more for program registrations and for residential treatment programs. The start time is important to agencies if the activity log is used as a scheduler or if they are using the activity log to monitor work days. It is up to the agency to decide if the start time of the appointment is important and that it should be accurately reflected in the Activity Log when adding appointments.
