Merger

PURPOSE: If you accidentally create two charts for the same patient, this function will allow you to merge them into one chart.

VERY IMPORTANT: Most of the documentation from both charts will be present in the merged chart. However, the Demographics, Vital Signs and Summary sections will only be retained in the chart being merged To.  The Demographics, Vital Signs, and Summary of the chart merged From will not be saved.  Before you begin, look carefully at the Demographics, Vital Signs, and Summary sections. Copy data from one chart to the other if necessary, to make sure that one of the charts has all the data you need in those sections. It is recommended that the use of this feature be limited to one person, or a small number of experienced staff.

Note that a backup of your SOAPware data is recommended prior to merging patient charts.

Introduction

The Chart Merger is a tool that allows you to merge two patient charts. You do this by selecting a chart to Merge From and a chart to Merge To.

The Demographics and Summary of the chart selected to Merge To will be retained, and the documentation from both charts will be present in the merged chart. Note that a backup of your SOAPware data is recommended prior to merging patient charts.

Interface

The Chart Merger first opens the Merge Charts dialog box. This dialog box has two fields, "Merge From", and "Merge To", each with a corresponding Select button. At the bottom of the dialog box are two buttons, "Merge" and "Cancel".

Clicking the "Select" button opens an interface very similar to that which you see when using Chart Archiver. Here, you can select a patient chart by typing the patient’s name (or other selected information), or by clicking the appropriate letter and selecting the chart you wish to merge.

Functionality

To Merge Charts

First, select the chart you wish to Merge From. To do this, click the "Select" button that corresponds to the Merge From field. This will open the Merge From dialog box, which will allow you to select a patient chart by either typing information into the Search field, or by clicking on a letter and selecting the chart. Once you have selected the chart to merge from, click "Select" at the bottom of the window.

Then, you will need to select the chart you wish to Merge To. This will open the Merge To dialog box, which will allow you to select a patient chart by either typing information into the Search field, or by clicking on a letter and selecting the chart. Once you have selected the chart to merge to, click "Select" at the bottom of the window.

In the Merge Charts dialog box, the charts you have selected will be displayed in the Merge From and Merge To fields. Click "Merge" to merge the charts. It is recommended that you check the chart that was selected in the Merge To field to ensure a complete and accurate merge.