Set up chart templates

Chart templates hold starter text for the four parts of a SOAP chart. A clinician picks one on a new note and then edits it freely, so a routine wellness exam doesn't start from a blank page (see Write a SOAP chart).

Managing templates needs chart-template permission, which veterinarians and practice managers have.

Add a template

1. Select Records › Chart Templates in the menu.
2. Under Add a template, give it a Name, such as "Canine wellness".
3. Choose a Species, or leave — Any species — so it's offered for every patient. Add a Visit type if it helps people pick it.
4. Type the starter text in Subjective starter text, Objective starter text, Assessment starter text and Plan starter text.
5. Select Create template.

On a SOAP chart, a template is only offered when the note is empty and the template matches the patient's species (or is for any species).

Change or retire a template

Template library lists every template with its species, visit type, author and status. Select Edit to change one, then Save changes.

1. To stop a template being offered, select Retire on its row.

A retired template disappears from the SOAP picker but stays in the library. Select Reactivate to bring it back. Notes already started from a template aren't affected either way.