EZ 2000 Manual - Digital Signatures

Digital Signatures  

Digital signatures are currently supported in Procedure Notes, Images, Treatment Plans, Consent Forms, Referral Slips, Commlogs, and Group Notes. You have two choices for signing. If you have a Tablet PC or any other similar touch screen, then you can sign with a stylus directly on the screen. You can see how this works by using your mouse, but it's not practical to sign with your mouse. The other way to sign is by using a Topaz signature pad. ttp://www.topazsystems.com/.

Signatures created using a stylus on a Tablet PC, similar touch screen, or Topaz can be used to verify the identity of the person who signed, much like with a pen and paper signature.  Information about the speed of each stroke of the stylus is recorded.  The signature is also digitally linked to the data which the signature applies to.  If any information changes, the signature disappears and shows "invalid signature".  A lot of work has gone into digitally tying the signatures to the data in such a way that the original data cannot be changed. And the way the signature is stored in the database makes it impossible for anyone to retrieve the signature without having the data that the signature applies to.

Signatures created using a mouse, or by marking a checkbox, are still valid electronic signatures, but bear in mind that with just a mouse signature or click, it is not possible to verify the person signing with the signature alone. 

Purchase a Topaz Pad
EZ2000 Plus Dental does not sell the Topaz signature devices. To purchase, see http://www.topazsystems.com/wheretobuy.htm, www.newegg.com, or www.amazon.com.  We recommend purchasing new models only and verifying the warranty.  To ensure compatibilty, please make sure the model number you order exactly matches a signature pad we recommend. 

Topaz Pad Requirements
The pad you purchase MUST be a 1 x 5 pad and it MUST have a model number ending in HSB. Those models are all USB types that use the human interface driver. 

Install a Topaz Pad
To install a Topaz pad, first install the SigPlus Basic program from the disk or from the Topaz website http://www.topazsystems.com/Software/download/sigplusbasic.htm. Then, plug in the device to the USB port. Older versions of Windows and Windows 7 (64 bit) will work fine with the included or downloadable drivers.  If you have Windows 7 (32 bit) then you will need to call Topaz for the drivers, as they are not included on the disk or posted on their website.

Topaz Pad Recommendations
At this time, we strongly recommend a wired pad as we have not found a wireless pad that is functional.

SigLite 1 x 5
This is a low cost pad that you sign blind, as it does not show "ink" on the screen as you sign. Because of this awkwardness, it is probably not suitable for patients, but it works fine for staff members who are signing procedure notes. The background is a dark blue rather than the medium blue pictured.T-S460-HSB-R

http://www.topazsystems.com/products/siglite.asp

~ $100

Recommended Pads	Model #	URL	$
SigLite LCD 1 x 5 This pad has an LCD screen, so you can see the signature as you sign, just like on paper. It works very well, but is more expensive. The screen background is actually gray rather than backlit.	T-L460-HSB-R	http://www.topazsystems.com/products/siglitelcd.asp	~ $200

Other pads may have extra features, such as backlighting or more durable surfaces.  These pads will work as long as they meet the Requirements listed above.

Technical Details
Topaz pads now work with 64 bit versions of Windows.