Settings › Tasks controls when patients can raise requests and why. Availability is configured per Task Type and location using one of three operating hour models.
Operating Hours views
By Task Type view
Select a Task Type from the left panel to see every location it is configured for, along with its current status (Unavailable or Live), availability mode, and operating hours. Select one or more locations and click Edit selected to update their configuration.
By Location view
The By Location view displays a full facility grid with Task Types as columns and locations as rows. A dash indicates that combination is not configured. Filled cells display status, mode, and operating hours.
The Missing staff coverage filter surfaces every Task Type and location combination that is set to Live with zero staff currently on. The orange dot next to the filter label indicates at least one gap exists.
Edit a Task Type's availability
Go to Settings › Tasks › Operating Hours.
Select the Task Type from the left panel.
Check the checkbox next to one or more locations.
Click Edit selected.
Select an availability mode (detailed in the table below) and configure hours as needed.
To apply the same setting to additional locations in the same Task Type, select them under Apply to.
Click Save.
| Patient Availability | Use Case |
Staffing | At least one staff member has notifications on | Live requests: pain, water, assistance |
Staffing & Scheduled | Someone is on AND the current time is within set hours | Staffed requests during specific windows only |
Scheduled | Within set hours, regardless of staffing | Automated requests: sign-ups, feedback, information |
Off | Never | Disabling a request type at a specific location entirely |
Note: PEX is always available. ED Patient Feedback and Complaint are not gated by staffing or scheduling like other Task types: patients can always submit feedback. The availability models above only control whether the Care Team at that location is alerted to a submission.
History
The History tab displays a 24-hour availability timeline per Task Type across all locations. Use it to confirm when a Task Type was live and to identify recurring coverage gaps.
Aggregated: combines all locations into a single timeline row per Task Type. Use this for a quick read on overall coverage.
By location: breaks the timeline out per location. Use this to pinpoint which specific location has a gap.
Green | Live; patients could submit requests |
Dark | Intentionally off |
Amber | Coverage gap; Live but no staff were on |
Gray | Unknown; no data available |
Using the History tab: Amber segments that repeat at the same time each day indicate a staffing pattern that needs adjustment. Add coverage during those windows or narrow the operating hours to match actual staffing.
FAQs
Patients cannot submit a request for a Task Type that appears configured.
Check in this order:
Settings › Tasks › Operating Hours to confirm the Task Type is set to Live (not Unavailable) at that location.
Staffing or Staffing & Scheduled mode: confirm at least one staff member currently has notifications on.
Staffing & Scheduled or Scheduled mode: confirm the current time falls within the configured operating hours.
History tab to review the timeline for amber segments at the relevant time.
Who to contact if the issue persists.
Contact Vital support if a Task Type appears configured but patients report it as unavailable, or if new Task Types, locations, or operating-hour model changes are needed.