Update: Spectra Service Pack 1

Notification

Following investigation into the issue where clinical notes or patient data may not have saved in Bp Premier Spectra and Spectra SP1, an updated version of Bp Premier Spectra SP1 is now available to all practices.

The updated version of Spectra SP1 includes improved error handling when a scenario occurs impacting the connection between a client workstation and the Bp Premier database server, including:

• Notification if a connectivity issue occurs
• A Retry option to re-establish connectivity
• A Close Bp Premier option if connectivity cannot be re-established
• New error logging for audit purposes to identify when a connectivity issue occurs and when the Retry and Close Bp Premier options were selected.

Best Practice Software is thankful for your patience while our team thoroughly investigated this issue.

Am I affected?

If you are unsure whether you are affected by this issue, this Best Practice Software article will help you identify if your Bp Premier Spectra or Spectra SP1 installation is affected by these issues, and any interim actions before you install the Spectra SP1 update.

Spectra was made available for General Availability 15th October 2024

Spectra SP1 was made available for General Availability 6th February 2025 and withdrawn for download 21st February 2025.

If you are on Bp Premier version Orchid (any service pack), you are not affected by this issue and do not need to take action.

FAQs about the Spectra SP1 update

Why should I download Spectra SP1 update?

An isolated group of our valued customers experienced a few issues after downloading Spectra and Spectra SP1.

As soon as we were made aware, we suspended the download link, asked everyone to stop downloading the software, and immediately deployed a group of experts to create a solution for those impacted.

Following extensive testing, an updated version of Spectra SP1 is now available for download, and we are confident the previous issues have been resolved in this new version.

We encourage all customers to visit the Bp Premier Downloads Page for the Spectra SP1 update download and installation instructions.

For those of you new to Spectra, we built this update to provide enhanced reporting and analytics, automated appointment reminders, streamlined workflows and improved monitoring of cervical screening.

I didn’t install Spectra or SP1. Are we ok?

The issue affected an isolated group among those who installed Spectra and/or Spectra SP1. Any earlier versions of Bp Premier were not impacted.

Customers who haven’t downloaded Spectra are now invited to download the Spectra SP1 update.

New features include enhanced reporting and analytics, automated appointment reminders, streamlined workflows and improved monitoring of cervical screening.

What were the main concerns with the earlier versions of Spectra?

When a scenario occurred impacting the connection between the Bp Premier client workstation and the server, an explicit notification of the lost connection no longer appeared where it had previously, nor was there an option to retry or re-establish the connection.

When the network connection was restored, there may have been instances where Bp Premier appeared to be operating seamlessly, but data entered during the period without connectivity may not have saved. This may have impacted both clinical and non-clinical information.

In some cases (but not all), an error message was displayed, though it did not clearly indicate the nature of the issue occurring.

How many practices were impacted?

At present it appears to be an isolated group among those who downloaded Spectra or Spectra SP1. Groups that we have seen impacted include:

• Customers experiencing network connectivity issues.
• Customers with configurations that may contribute to communication disruptions between client workstations and server machines (such as laptops/desktops with power saving/sleep modes or hibernation).
• Other scenarios where the client workstation cannot contact the server.

Impacted workflows

Extensive testing has been and continues to be conducted on Bp Premier workflows to assess the impact on patient data in the event of a network connectivity error. The success or failure of data saving data varies depending upon the specific workflow and the stage at which the error occurs.

In some workflows, a standard “An error has occurred” notification is displayed, allowing users to review and re-enter data if needed. However, in other workflows, no notification is shown, meaning users may be unaware of data loss.

The workflows that have currently been identified with a potential impact, where data may not save, include:

• Clinical record and notes
• Document import
• Past Prescriptions
• Invoices and payments *

Any data that was not saved cannot be recovered. We recommend contacting your indemnity and/or legal service provider for guidance on managing any potential impacts.

* Including further investigation on invoices and payments.

Identification of impacted data

Development and testing are ongoing to help practices identify when a network connectivity error has occurred and detect patient records with the following issues:

• Clinical notes with no content
• Partially imported documents with no content, such as:
  • Investigation reports
  • Correspondence in
  • Clinical images
  • Enhanced Primary Care documents

We are continuing to test and will expand coverage to additional areas, including:

• Actions and reminders
• Actioning results
• Allocating incoming reports
• Prescriptions
• Accounts *
• Demographics

* Including further investigation on invoices and payments.

Next Steps

Best Practice Software recommends that practices who have previously updated to Spectra (Build No. 1.13.0.1061) and Spectra SP1 (Build No. 1.13.1.1068) install the updated version as soon as possible.

Download the updated Spectra SP1 update from the Best Practice Software Downloads page.

Review the Spectra SP1 Release Notes.

This Bp Premier Knowledge Base article explains how to download and run a program update.

NOTE  If you are on Bp Premier version Spectra, you will be upgraded to version Spectra Service Pack 1.

 

 

Last updated: 25 March 2025