Introduction to Doctor Merge
Doctor Merge provides the ability to merge information from separate doctors into a single doctor folder (the target doctor). One doctor is removed from the database; all prescriptions and information previously linked to the removed doctor become linked to the target doctor. The updated information can be prescriptions, activities, patient condition details, and default doctors for patients or groups.
Similar to Patient Merge, Doctor Merge is part of the Housekeeping module. A security feature ensures only authorized pharmacy staff can access this module and merge doctor files.
What happens when doctors are merged?
The Remove Doctor is deleted from the database. The following information moves to the Target Doctor:
- Doctor addresses. Some addresses may be deleted - refer to the next page for details.
- Doctor History items. As per existing functionality, the Doctor folder History tab is only enabled in British Columbia and Nova Scotia.
- Doctor notes.
- If patient counselling leaflet preferences exist for the Target Doctor, the Remove Doctor’s preferences are deleted. If leaflet preferences did not exist for the Target Doctor, the Remove Doctor’s preferences are copied to the Target Doctor.
- Activity items.
- Default Doctors for patient and groups.
- Patient condition details, located in the Patient folder Medical tab on British Columbia databases, become linked to the Target Doctor.
- Prescriptions linked to the Remove Doctor become linked to the Target Doctor. The prescription audit histories are updated accordingly. The doctor address linked to the prescription is retained where possible; if an address is deleted, the prescription becomes linked to the Target Doctor’s primary address.
During a merge, the Remove Doctor’s addresses are copied into the Target Doctor’s empty address tabs. This allows multiple addresses to be retained for the merged doctors. For example, the same doctor could be in the database twice, once with the office address and once with the clinic address. Retaining all addresses ensures your data is complete and keeps prescriptions linked to the appropriate address after a merge.
Example 1:
The Target Doctor is William Anderson, who has two addresses: Address 1 is the primary address at 100 Division Avenue, Address 2 is 55 Main Street. The Remove Doctor is Bill Anderson who has one address: General Hospital Emergency.
When the doctors are merged, William Anderson has three addresses: Address 1 and Address 2 remain the same, Address 3 is General Hospital Emergency.
Bill Anderson is deleted from the database and all information previously linked to Bill Anderson is now linked to William Anderson.
Note: When there are more addresses than available address tabs, the Remove Doctor’s remaining addresses are deleted and prescriptions previously linked to the deleted addresses become linked to the Target Doctor’s primary address.
Example 2:
The Target Doctor has 3 addresses. The Remove Doctor has 2 addresses. Since the Doctor folder allows a maximum of 4 addresses, the Remove Doctor’s second address will be deleted. Prescriptions linked to the deleted address are updated with the Target Doctor’s primary address.