PCC Instant Messaging (PCC IM) with Spark

Your practice can use a private, office-only chat service to send instant messages to communicate among clinicians and staff. Instant messaging, like texting, is a popular way to fire off a quick question or send a message to a co-worker. PCC can set up a private, secure instant messaging service that will be internal to your practice only.

PCC recommends using “Spark”, a free third-party chat program, to access PCC IM.

Every PC or Mac on your network can use the instant messaging service.

PHI Sent Via Instant Messaging?: Unlike mainstream instant messaging applications, such as Google Chat or AIM, PCC’s private network instant messaging is maintained behind PCC’s firewall, which means you can send PHI securely. If your office allows external instant messaging, your office’s policy should reflect what usage is appropriate.

Availability and Activation: PCC’s instant messaging service is available for all practices using Partner and/or PCC EHR, on computers running inside your PCC-maintained network. PCC Support must activate and configure PCC IM for your practice. Contact PCC Support (800-722-1082) and ask for the Technical Support Team.

Windows PC Installation Instructions

Follow the procedure below to download and install Spark.

Work with Your Office’s System Administrator

You should always work with your office’s system administrator when installing or removing software from your PC.

Download the Spark Installation Package for Windows

Click on the link below to download and save the installer:

Download Spark Installer for Windows

PCC Network Only: This link, and the associated IM service, will only work on computers inside your PCC network. Contact PCC Support at 1-800-722-1082 for more information or if the link above does not work.

Run the Installer

Double-click on the installer to run it. You may do this directly from your browser or from your downloads folder. If you have trouble locating the downloaded file, ask your office’s system administrator for help.



Click through the various installation steps to install the software.

Run the Spark Program

Click “Finish” to complete the installation and open the Spark Login screen.

Log In

When the Login window appears, enter your username, password, and domain as shown below.

Enter your PCC username and password, and “pccim” for domain. Then click “Login”.

Usernames and Passwords: Do you use different usernames or passwords to log in to PCC EHR and Partner? PCC IM requires your Partner username and password.

Contact PCC

If you are unable to connect to PCC IM, contact PCC Support at 1-800-722-1082. Remember that your computer must be part of the PCC network in order to connect.

MacOS Instructions

Follow the procedure below to download and install Spark.

Work with Your Office’s System Administrator

You should always work with your office’s system administrator when installing or removing software from your PC.

Download the Spark Installation Package for Mac

Click on the link below to download the installer:

Download Spark Installer for Mac

PCC Network Only: This link, and the associated IM service, will only work on computers inside your PCC network. Contact PCC Support at 1-800-722-1082 for more information or if the link above does not work.

Run the Installer

Double-click on the downloaded file to run the installer. You may do this from your browser or from your downloads folder. If you have trouble locating the downloaded file, ask your office’s system administrator for help.

Move the Spark App to Your Applications Folder

When the installation completes, the Spark app will appear next to the Applications folder. You will need to drag and drop the Spark app into the folder to keep it on your hard drive.

Open the Spark App from Your Applications Folder

Go to your Applications folder and open the new Spark app.



Click through the warning messages that appear.

Pin it to the Dock: You may want to drag the Spark icon to the Dock at the bottom of your screen so that you don’t have to go to the Applications folder every time you want to open it.

Log In

When the Login window appears, enter your username, password, and domain as shown below.

Enter your PCC username and password, and “pccim” for domain. Then click “Login”.

Usernames and Passwords: Do you use different usernames or passwords to log in to PCC EHR and Partner? PCC IM requires your Partner username and password.

Send a Message

Follow the procedure below (for either Windows or Mac) to send a message using Spark.

Choose a Contact Person

Double-click on a colleague in your Contacts list to begin an IM conversation.

Enter Your Message

Type your note in the input field, and click “Enter” on your keyboard to send it.


Want to Know More?: For more advanced features, check out the Spark User Guide from the developer’s website.

  • Last modified: August 13, 2019