User Guide — Enhanced Self Check-In: Practice-Owned Device

athenaClinicals, athenaCollector, athenaCommunicator

This article refers to our latest self check-in experience, released in Fall 2022. For information on the legacy self check-in experience, refer to this user guide.

Patients can access and complete enhanced self check-in while in your office using a practice-owned device. There is no need to download a separate app or use a specific device type, and there is no significant difference between the practice device and patient device versions of the Self Check-in workflow.

 

For as visual representation of the workflow, as well as a demo video, review this release note from our Summer 2025 release.

 

You can use any mobile device (such as a tablet or smartphone) as long as it meets the following requirements:

  • The device must be able to connect to the Internet.

  • The device must have a camera that can scan and interpret a QR code.

  • Enhanced Self Check-in must be enabled for one or more departments, and the feature must be enabled on the Self Check-in Settings page. This feature is enabled by default for all departments with enhanced self check-in enabled.

 

  • Disable auto-complete via your device and/or browser settings.

    For example, on an iOS device, these settings are most likely found under Settings > Apps > Safari. From Safari, 1) open Apple Intelligence & Siri and disable all options, and 2) open Autofill and disable all options there as well. The specific method for disabling auto-complete varies depending on your device and operating system.

  • Launch the practice device workflow in private browsing (also known as incognito) mode.

    For example, on an iPad, open Safari and toggle to Private Browsing. Now, any link you open on the device—including enhanced self check-in practice device QR code links—will launch in Safari's Private Browsing mode, which enhances privacy by not saving browsing history, cookies, or AutoFill information. The specific method for enabling private browsing varies depending on your device and operating system.

 

  1. Click the patient appointment to initiate self check-in.

  2. Click Initiate Self Check-in. A pop-up appears.

  3. Scan the QR code using a practice device before handing the device to the patient. Then, close the pop-up message.

    How this pop-up displays depends what you enable on the Self Check-in Settings page:

  • If you enable staff-initiated self check-in for patient devices only, you will not see the QR code.

  • If you enable staff-initiated self check-in for practice devices only, you will see the QR code but will not have the option to send a check-in link to the patient's mobile number.

  • If you enable staff-initiated self check-in for both patient and practice devices, you will see the QR code and you will have the option to send a check-in link to the patient's mobile number.

 

There is no significant difference between the practice device and patient device versions of the enhanced self check-in workflow.

 

After you scan the QR code on a practice device and hand the device to the patient, they are asked to provide their last name and date of birth to confirm their identity. In the practice device workflow, there is no option for the patient to use log in with athena.

 

Important: Prompt patients to tap the Logout button in the Enhanced Self Check-in after they complete the workflow to further protect patient data. Additionally, make sure to keep your device and browser up-to-date.