Blank Notes are your manual alternative for sessions where AI-assisted documentation isn't the right fit. They offer the flexibility to write exactly what you need while ensuring your clinical data remains securely locked in the patient’s chart.
When to use a Blank Note
Think of Blank Notes as your "off-ramp" from AI transcription when:
No Consent: The patient opted out of transcription for the session.
Administrative Work: You are documenting care coordination, a phone consult, or an insurance follow-up.
Chart-Only Notes: You need to record a quick clinical observation or incident report outside of a standard session.
Getting Started
Navigate to the Notes tab in the left sidebar.
Select your patient.
Click Create Note and choose Start with a blank note.
Shortcuts: Don't Start from Scratch
You don't have to type everything by hand. Use these shortcuts to "fill in the gaps" instantly.
BIRP / SOAP Template Maker
Type / anywhere in the editor to pull up a quick menu of clinical tools:
Select Generate Template.
Choose the format you need (e.g., SOAP or BIRP).
Allia will instantly generate the clinical headers, allowing you to simply fill in the blanks.
Custom Template Maker (AI Assistant)
If you need a specific form that isn't built-in (like a Referral Letter or Psych Intake), the AI Assistant can build the skeleton for you.
How to do it: Simply ask the Assistant: "Create a template for a Psych Intake Evaluation."
The Result: The AI drafts the clinical headers so you don't miss any required sections, maintaining the "golden thread" of your documentation.
Fill in the Gaps
Once you have your framework—whether using the Slash ( / ) command or the AI Assistant—the hard part is done. You are left with a structured "skeleton" designed for you to simply fill in the gaps.
Input your data: Click under each header and type your specific clinical observations.
Use Shortcuts: While filling in the gaps, you can type
/dxto drop in the patient's diagnosis or/rxto list their current medications instantly.
