What is record and communication linking?
Record and communication linking connects the discharge notes and messages you send to a client with the medical record they belong to. Send discharges, or log a message while a record is open, and it links itself. No extra step to remember mid-consult. Once linked, you can read the full message right on the record instead of leaving it to go find it.
How this helps your daily work
Vets & Vet Techs. A discharge note you send from a medical record (SOAP) logs and links itself automatically. Linked messages preview right on the SOAP, so you can check what was already said without leaving the record.
Front Desk / CSR. Logging a communication while a record is open links it automatically, no separate step afterward. A toggle in the communication log lets you hide automated reminders so real conversations are easier to spot.
Practice Managers. A record share now includes an auto-linked discharge note by default, one less box for the team to remember. Reviewing how a case was communicated takes one look at the record instead of a search through the log.
Where to find it
You don't need to turn anything on. Discharge notes sent from a medical record (SOAP) link automatically; see Generate Discharge Notes. To link a communication yourself, use the Record field while creating it or the Health Card; see Send a Direct Message to a Client. Every communication, linked or not, is in the Communication Log.
How automatic linking works
Send a discharge note from a medical record (SOAP), or log a communication while a record is open, through Digitail.
Digitail logs it as a new entry in the client's communication log.
Digitail links it back to the record it belongs to.
No manual action is needed for either case. Discharge-note auto-linking only covers notes sent through the platform; a printed or externally generated note isn't logged automatically.
Other things you can do
Link a record from inside the Communications module
Add a communication and pick the record it belongs to right there, instead of linking it afterward from the Health Card.
Preview a linked message without leaving the record
Linked messages show as a short preview (subject, date, snippet) on the SOAP or Timeline. Click to expand to read the whole message and any attachments in a window over the record. Multiple linked messages stack most recent first.
Records shared with a discharge note included by default
When a record includes discharges or communications, sharing it includes those automatically. Using the 'Record content settings' checkboxes allows you to uncheck if needed.
Hide automated reminders in the communication log
A toggle to show only direct communications is available in the Communications Timeline, so scanning for a real conversation doesn't mean scrolling past reminders. This only changes what's displayed; reminders still send and log as usual.
Tips & best practices
Discharge notes only auto-link when sent through Digitail; printing or sending outside the platform won't log them.
Auto-linking applies going forward; older communications keep their current link status.
The linked-message preview is read-only; edit a communication from Client Communications, not from inside a record.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will this change how I currently link a communication manually?
No. You can still link from the Health Card, or now from the communication itself when you create it, see Send a Direct Message to a Client.
Do I need to turn discharge note auto-linking on?
No. It works automatically for notes sent through Digitail.
Will my older messages get linked automatically?
No. Auto-linking applies to new communications and discharge notes going forward.
Can I edit a communication from inside the linked-message preview?
No. The preview is read-only. Edit it from Client Communications instead.