Messages
Messages is EHR360’s internal messaging for staff↔staff and staff↔patient threads (not the floating Chats widget). Open it from the main menu Messages (/messages), the patient chart Messages tab, or Dashboard → Messages (preview). Compose with recipients, subject, body, and optional attachments; manage threads in Inbox, Archive, and Closed. Patients use the portal or chart-scoped messaging with appointment-linked compose rules.
Messages
No messages found
No thread selected
Select a message thread from the list to view
New Message
Send a message to one or more recipients
You can select multiple recipients.
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Messages Screen
Open Messages from the main sidebar (unread badge when you have new threads). Layout: left thread list (~search and tabs) and right reading pane. Header includes Compose. Empty list: No messages found. Empty pane: No thread selected / select a thread to view. Access Denied means you lack Messages view permissions.
Messages vs Chats
Messages (/messages) = threaded inbox with Compose, subjects, Archive/Closed. Chats (/chat floating widget) is a separate product. Notifications with threadId open Messages; chatId opens Chats. Dashboard Messages tab visibility is often gated by Chats → View Messages, while the full page uses the Messages module.
Where to Open Messages
Main menu Messages: all your threads. Patient chart → Messages: same UI filtered to that patient’s user account (needs patient portal userId). Dashboard → Messages: quick list with Reply; Navigate to Message opens /messages?threadId=…. Patient portal: patients message their care team, often after picking an appointment. Notification bell can deep-link to a thread.
Inbox, Archive, and Closed
Inbox: active conversations—Reply, Archive, Close Thread, Delete (by permission). Archive: Move to Inbox to reply again; Delete. Closed: Reopen to reply; Delete. Banners explain when a thread is archived or closed and cannot accept replies until moved/reopened. Each tab can be permission-gated (View Inbox/Archive/Closed Tab).
Search Messages
Search messages… filters the list by subject, last message text, or participant names so you can find threads quickly in a busy inbox.
Who Can Message Whom
Staff and providers can message other active Staff, Providers, and Patients. SuperAdmin accounts are not offered as recipients; you cannot message yourself; inactive users are excluded. Patients cannot message other patients. Patient portal compose usually requires selecting an appointment and sends to that appointment’s provider.
Compose New Message
Click Compose → New Message. Required: Recipients, Subject, and Message body (or attach files when Send Files is allowed). Optional Attach Files. Send Message submits the thread. Needs Create Message and Send Message permissions.
Subject Choices
Staff/provider subjects include General Inquiry, Patient Follow-up, Appointment Related, Lab Results Discussion, Prescription Question, Billing Inquiry, Clinical Question, Administrative Matter, Urgent Matter, Other. Patient portal subjects include New Appointment Request, Prescription Refill, Follow-up After Visit, Lab Results Question, Billing or Payment, Insurance Coverage, New Symptoms, Request Medical Records, Update Personal Information, Portal Technical Support, Other.
Attachments
Attach Files or drag-and-drop (Drop files here to attach). Max about 5 MB per file. Needs Send Files permission. Images/video may preview; list shows Attached Files before send. Oversize files show a size error and will not send.
Thread List and Reading Pane
Each row shows subject (or No Subject), participants, last message preview (or No messages yet), and unread badge. Selecting a row loads the conversation in the reading pane. Unread counts also drive the sidebar Messages badge.
Dashboard Messages Panel
Dashboard Messages shows a short list (often All plus top subjects) with Reply. Opening the full thread typically needs Navigate to Message. If the Dashboard Messages tab is missing but /messages works, grant Chats → View Messages for the dashboard tab plus Messages module ops for the full page.
Patient Chart → Messages
Chart Messages uses the same Messages UI scoped to that patient. If the pane waits for patient userId or stays empty, the patient may lack a linked portal user. Chart visibility uses Messages view permission on the chart tab.
Messages Permissions
Messages module: View Message Threads / View; View Inbox, Archive, Closed tabs; Create Message; Send Message; Reply Messages; Send Files; Archive Messages; Close Messages; Move to Inbox; Reopen Message; Delete Messages. Dashboard: Chats View Messages, Reply Message, Navigate to Message. Super Admin bypasses. Without view rights, Access Denied.
Notifications
New messages can create in-app notifications (message / new_message). Clicking a notification with threadId opens Messages; chatId opens Chats. Browser/socket alerts may appear when enabled. Keep permissions and notification settings aligned so staff are not missing urgent patient threads.
Common Issues
(1) Dashboard Messages missing—need Chats View Messages. (2) Cannot open from Dashboard—Navigate to Message. (3) Compose/Reply/Attach disabled—missing Create/Reply/Send Files/Send Message. (4) No recipients—inactive users, SuperAdmin excluded, or patient↔patient blocked. (5) Chart Messages empty—patient has no userId. (6) Attachment fails—over 5 MB. (7) Cannot reply—thread Archived/Closed. (8) Notification opens Chat—chatId vs threadId. (9) Patient portal cannot find provider—appointment missing provider user link.