How do I deactivate/delete a patient file?

Overview

Changing a patient's status is sometimes necessary, and there are two functions available in Core Practice:

1. Deactivating a patient
2. Deleting a patient

This guide will show you how you can do this quickly and easily.

Deactivating a patient

The "Deactivate" function allows you to keep the patient's file in your database in case you need to reference it in the future but also excludes them from recall lists and marketing. You will not be able to enter treatments for "Deactivated" patients, either.

This function would be useful in the unfortunate circumstance when a patient has passed away, and you would like to keep their file on your database but you want to ensure that you do not send recalls and/or marketing to them. Here's how to do it.

Steps

1. Navigate to the patient's profile, click on their name, and then click on Deactivate patient.                       
   
   If you're not able to see this option, you may not have the required permissions. Please contact your administrators about this and they will be able to help you.
   
   
   
2. Click on Confirm after reading and understanding the results of performing this action.
   
   If you do not wish to go ahead with this action, just click "Cancel" or "Close".
   
   
   
3. There will now be an "Inactive" tag alongside the patient's name.
   

Deleting a patient

Deleting a patient is a little bit different. This function can only be performed on a patient file that does not have any previous treatment and/or notes (even if they have been voided). This is because you may need to access those treatments/notes in the future, and deleting the file would prevent you from doing so. You will also not be able to find that file when you perform a search.

This function is useful in the circumstance when a staff member has mistakenly created a duplicate file, but noticed the error at some stage before the provider has entered treatments. Here's how to do it.

Steps

1. Navigate to the patient's profile, click on their name, and then click on Delete patient.                       
   
   If you're not able to see this option, you may not have the required permissions. Please contact your administrators about this and they will be able to help you.
   
   
   
2. Click on Delete after reading and understanding the results of performing this action.
   
   You will no longer be able to find this file in your searches.
   
   

If you have mistakenly deactivated a file, you will need to activate it again.

If you have any questions, please click the yellow Help button at the bottom left and chat with us. We are more than happy to help!