📝 Overview
Macros help streamline SOAP note documentation by allowing providers to quickly insert structured text, patient data, and customizable note content. ChiroHD offers several macro types, each designed for a specific documentation purpose.
Understanding when to use each macro type can help improve note consistency, reduce documentation time, and create a more efficient workflow.
This article explains the available macro types, how they function, and common use cases for each option.
📋 Macro Types in ChiroHD
🔹 Regular Macro
Purpose: A Regular Macro is a predefined text option when there is only one possible output for a specific scenario.
Use Case: Regular Macros are ideal when the same text should always be inserted into the SOAP note without requiring additional selections from the provider.
Example: A macro titled "Patient Tolerated Treatment Well" may always insert the following text:
"Patient tolerated today's treatment without complications and left the office in stable condition."
🔹 List Macro
Purpose: A List Macro is a collection of Regular Macros grouped under a single macro umbrella, allowing for multiple related documentation options within one selection.
While the overarching concept remains the same, it includes subcategories with different text output options. This structure helps organize related macros and reduces the number of individual buttons displayed on the SOAP note screen.
Use Case Example: If a provider needs to document spinal range of motion (ROM), they can use a single List Macro instead of creating separate buttons for each spinal region.
Macro Umbrella: Spinal Range of Motion
Subcategory Options
Cervical ROM
Lumbar ROM
Cervical & Lumbar Combined ROM
How It Works -
If a patient only has cervical complaints, select Cervical ROM.
If the issue is in the lumbar region, select Lumbar ROM.
If the patient has both cervical and lumbar complaints, select Cervical & Lumbar Combined ROM.
This allows multiple related documentation options to be stored under one organized macro.
⚙️ Advanced Macro Types
Advanced Macros provide dynamic functionality beyond simple text insertion. They can collect user input, pull patient information, create selectable lists, and automate portions of SOAP note documentation.
🔹 Data Macro
Purpose: The Data Macro automatically inserts information from the patient profile, provider account, or appointment record.
Available Data Options
Provider Full Name
Pulls the full name of the provider currently logged into the device.
Commonly used when building electronic signature macros.
Full Name
Pulls the patient's full name.
First Name
Pulls the patient's first name.
Last Name
Pulls the patient's last name.
He / She / They
Inserts the appropriate pronoun based on the gender selected within the patient profile.
His / Her / Their
Inserts the appropriate possessive pronoun based on the gender selected within the patient profile.
Him / Her / Them
Inserts the appropriate object pronoun based on the gender selected within the patient profile.
Mr / Ms / Mrs / Mx
Inserts a title based on the gender and marital status configured in the patient profile.
Appointment Date
Inserts the patient's scheduled appointment date and time.
Current Date
Inserts the date and time the SOAP note was saved or submitted.
Most commonly used for electronic signatures
Birth Date
Inserts the patient's date of birth.
🔹 Select Macro
Purpose: The Select Macro displays a list of options and allows the provider to select only one choice.
Example Use Case
A provider wants to document whether a patient is:
Better
Worse
Same
Since only one response can apply, a Select Macro is the appropriate choice.
🔹 Multi-Select Macro
Purpose: The Multi-Select Macro displays a list of options and allows the provider to select multiple choices.
Example Use Case: Chief complaints may include:
Low Back Pain
Neck Pain
Shoulder Pain
Headaches
Because a patient may present with multiple complaints, a Multi-Select Macro allows all applicable options to be selected simultaneously.
🔹 Narrative Macro
Purpose: The Narrative Macro provides a large free-text field for detailed documentation.
Use Case: Narrative Macros are ideal when providers need to document:
History of present illness
Clinical reasoning
Patient concerns
Detailed examination findings
Treatment rationale
Example: "The patient is a 52-year-old male with a history of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and chronic lower back pain for 10+ years..."
Narrative Macros allow providers to fully articulate patient conditions and clinical thought processes beyond structured fields.
🔹 Input Macro
Purpose: The Input Macro provides a smaller free-text field intended for brief responses.
Use Case: Useful for documenting concise information that does not fit within a predefined macro.
Example: "Performed lumbar HVLA adjustment at L4-L5 with mild cavitation. Patient reported immediate decrease in tension and improved mobility."
🔹 Random Macro
Purpose: The Random Macro allows multiple versions of the same statement to be created. Each time the macro is selected, ChiroHD randomly inserts one of the configured variations.
Use Case: This is useful for reducing repetitive wording in recurring SOAP notes while maintaining the same clinical meaning.
Example
Version 1:
"Patient reports continued improvement since previous visit."Version 2:
"Since the last appointment, the patient has experienced ongoing improvement."Version 3:
"The patient notes progressive improvement in symptoms following prior treatment."
🔹 Number Range Macro
Purpose: The Number Range Macro generates a predefined range of numbers that appear as individual buttons.
Use Case: Commonly used for:
Pain scales
Range of motion scores
Treatment intensity ratings
Functional outcome measurements
🔹 Shortcut Macro
Purpose: The Shortcut Macro pulls information from designated shortcuts.
Current Availability: At this time, the available shortcut is Pregnancy Information
🔹 Date Picker Macro
Purpose: The Date Picker Macro displays a calendar selector that allows providers to choose a specific date.
Use Case: Commonly used for:
Date of accident
Date of injury
New patient appointment dates
Surgical dates
🔹 Number Pad Macro
Purpose: The Number Pad Macro displays an on-screen keypad that allows providers to enter numerical values. Unlike Number Range Macros, Number Pad Macros are not limited to predefined values.
Use Case: Useful when documenting:
Pain scores
Measurements
ROM values
Treatment intensity scales
Custom numerical entries
🔹 Spine Macro
Purpose: The Spine Macro displays a visual representation of the spine that allows providers to select one or multiple spinal regions.
Selected segments automatically populate into the SOAP note.
Use Case: Used to document spinal regions that were:
Adjusted
Evaluated
Palpated
Treated
🔹 Other Macro (Macro Chaining)
Purpose: The Other Macro enables Macro Chaining, allowing multiple SOAP note macros to be linked together. With a single click, providers can trigger several macros simultaneously instead of selecting each one individually.
Use Case: A provider may create separate workflows for:
Personal Injury patients
Medicare patients
Wellness patients
Macro Chaining is commonly used to link Subjective (S), Objective (O), Assessment (A), and Plan (P) into a single streamlined workflow.
🔹 Section Start & Section End Macro
These macros are not currently in use and are expected to be removed in a future update.
✅ Key Takeaways
Regular Macros insert a single predefined text output.
List Macros organize multiple related Regular Macros under one selection.
Advanced Macros provide dynamic functionality including patient data insertion, selectable options, free-text entry, date selection, and macro chaining.
Data Macros help automate documentation by pulling information directly from patient and appointment records.
Select Macros allow one choice, while Multi-Select Macros allow multiple choices.
Macro Chaining can significantly improve documentation efficiency by linking multiple SOAP note sections together.
📌 Conclusion
ChiroHD's macro system provides flexible documentation tools that help providers create accurate, consistent, and efficient SOAP notes. By understanding the purpose of each macro type and selecting the appropriate option for your workflow, you can reduce documentation time while maintaining high-quality clinical records.