Theoretically, HealthLink functionality in Clinical requires no configuration - simply installing HealthLink's HMS Client software from HealthLink should be sufficient. However there are situations where it may be necessary to enter/change some settings, such as where a site that has been using the HMS Client, and installs Clinical for the first time.

HealthLink Setup

HealthLink setup can be performed either from within MedicalDirector Clinical, or via the MedicalDirector Maintenance suite of utilities. The following steps are shown from the perspective of the former option.

1.      Select Tools > HealthLink > Setup. The HealthLink Setup window appears.

o      The upper half (Setup section) of this window displays the location of the HealthLink Interface File ( a configuration file), along with its associated EDI account name and password, and the URL for connecting to HealthLink's forms. Configuration logs are also available here. Settings in the upper section can be modified from any workstation computer.

o      If you are an existing HealthLink client (i.e. have been using HealthLink for messaging) this section should be pre-populated (automatically detected). However, there may be instances where the Config file cannot be located, where the file has been corrupted, or if you are a new HealthLink user. In such cases, you need to manually setup HealthLink configuration. See Step 2 below for information.

o      The Last Modified field on this window informs you of when HealthLink’s configuration file was last modified, and if the date here does not correspond to the configuration file modification date, the software will automatically update the HealthLink configuration details with the updated information from the modified Config file. No additional setup is required.

2.      Click to locate and select the hms_config.xml file, as provided to you by HealthLink.

3.      Click

4.      Click Close to exit.

HealthLink Web Service Setup

HealthLink Web Service setup can be performed either from within MedicalDirector Clinical, or via the MedicalDirector Maintenance suite of utilities. The following steps are shown from the perspective of the former option. Note that ideally you should not have to configure anything within the Web Service section of this window - it should all be configured automatically. However, you may have to alter settings if the selected port number is not available, for example.

1.      Select Tools > HealthLink > Setup. The HealthLink Setup window appears.


The lower half (Web Service section) contains settings for the web service that runs on your server computer, and manages the display of HealthLink forms on the workstations. Web Service logs are also available.  Settings in the lower section can be modified from the server computer only. Whenever you make changes to this section of this widow, click Save  and then also click

2.      Enter your web server's Host name and port number into the fields provided.

3.      Enter your database server's name, and the name of your Clinical database e.g. "HCN".

4.      Enter the URL to the web service.

5.      Click  to test the web service connection. If this test fails, please consult your Systems Administrator if you require assistance.

6.      Click to restart the service.

7.      Click to refresh the service status message.