Patient Search Function

A new search function has been added to the Patient file to make it easier to locate a particular patient record.

This consists of a new button on the tool bar of the Patient file:

This button also has a new 'shortcut' key, so you can either click the button with your mouse, or press the keys on your keyboard. Either option will open a window like the following example:

Search Patients

To perform a search for a patient (or several patients), enter a search term in the 'Filter on' box. You do not need to click the button or press the key. To include patient records marked as 'Inactive' (i.e., those with a * or ** in front of the name), tick the checkbox.

The search term may be any of the following:

A date of birth; this must be entered in full, e.g., 24/12/1958.
The first part, or all of a patient's name; this may be part of the forename, surname, 'Also Known As' name, or email address. For instance, a search for 'GER' will find all patients with any part of their name starting with 'GER'.
The first part of a numeric field; for example, "122" will find all patients who have a phone number or a postcode starting with 122.

If the search finds one or more records matching the search term, you can select the patient you require by:

Double-clicking on the one you require;
Clicking the record you want, so that it is highlighted, then press key;
Using the or arrow keys on your keyboard to scroll to the appropriate record then press the key.
Whichever method you use, EXACT will populate the screen with the record for that patient.

Notes:
The list of records found will remain active until you clear the search criteria, so if the record you chose was not the right one, you can return to the list and choose another one.
To clear the list, simply delete the text in the 'Filter on' field, by pressing or the spacebar while the text in the field is highlighted. Alternatively, you can start another search by entering something else in the 'Filter on' field.

To choose which fields are displayed in the 'Search Patients' window, and what order they are displayed, click on the button in the top right-hand corner of the window. This will open the Column Settings window; in here you can tick or un-tick multiple columns.