PostScript Templates and Printers

PostScript templates are used to create the printer layout for some letter, prescription styles, graphs, and currently is the only way to define a print layout for the Superbill.  Using PostScript means that if you have a PostScript capable printer, you can easily print to a local or network PS printer without going thru the process of first creating a PDF which is how most of Synapse EMR printing is done.

PostScript printers tend to be higher end lasers, and many color lasers are PostScript capable.  But be careful when purchasing as some of the low end color lasers that are windows specific are cheaper precisely because they lack PostScript.  Older B&W lasers from HP were also PostScript capable such as the 4MP, but of course they were very expensive when first released some 12 years ago!  You can purchase a used PostScript printer off eBay for less than $100 - but make sure first that it works with Windows and is not Macintosh specific! 

Synapse EMR comes with a built-in template for the Superbill.However, you may wish to customise it if you need to change the layout.To see the built in layout, in Synapse EMR build 166 and higher

1. Navigate to the Settings/PostScript Templates tab
2. Select “invoice” from the drop down menu near the bottom left
3. Click on the “Default” button, and it will be displayed on the right
4. Type a name for the template in the field above the buttons eg. Superbill, and then “Add New”
5. Change it to Letter paper if you need
   
6. You are now ready to make changes, and test them.When happy with the changes, use the “Update” button.

To activate the new template

1. Navigate to the Settings/User/PostScript tab
2. Click on the Lookup button to the right of the “Superbill” label
3. One template called “superbill” or whatever name you used will appear in the list
4. Click on the name to select it, and then use the “Save Config” button to save this setting.

The PostScript templates use a DSL ( domain specific language ) to specify the layout.At present this is undocumented, but can be inferred from the examples.If you need help, ask on the forums.

NB: When you use a PostScript template, there is often a preview option in a window which allows you to view at different sizes etc.This may well be blank if you do not install the optional PostScript font package!