Can I merge duplicate patient records?

Yes. HearLink allows you to merge duplicate patient records to consolidate information into a single patient profile.

When to merge patients:

Duplicate records can occur when:

• A patient registers through the online booking system and also gets added manually
• Patient details are entered slightly differently (e.g., "John Smith" vs "J Smith")
• A returning patient is added as new instead of being found in the system

How merging works:

The merge function combines two patient records into one, preserving all appointments, clinical records, invoices, and other data from both records. You choose which patient becomes the primary record and which one is merged into it.

Noah integration restriction:

If the source patient or both patient's have Noah records linked to their profile, they cannot be merged. This protects the integrity of Noah audiometric data. In these cases, you'll need to manually consolidate information or contact HearLink support for guidance.

Best practices to avoid duplicates:

• Always search thoroughly before creating a new patient
• Use consistent name formatting across your team
• Check for similar names, alternative spellings, or maiden names
• Verify date of birth and contact details before creating duplicates

Merging patients is a permanent action. Once merged, the records cannot be separated, so ensure you're merging the correct patients before proceeding.

Further reading:

• Merge patients