The key is to have a "unique key" that both systems use to identify each record uniquely. The problem of duplicates arises when ambiguous identifying traits are all that are used. Names, date of birth, etc, can all be entered with slight variations for the same person and can also be found to be the same for different persons. That's why once a unique ID is assigned to a set of traits for a given person, using that ID (or "key" in table records) for solid identification becomes very important. When you don't have such a "key", the process of matching up the data has to be done all over each time.
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of J. Michael Towry Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 11:23 AM To: hardhats-members@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: RE: [Hardhats-members] What is the best (automated) way to update existing patient records? So, to update existing patient records with new data (such as change of address) from a small-office practice management system is going to require the adding of a duplicate patient and then identifying and merging the duplicates manually? Did I get that right? I was hoping there'd be a way to simply have an automated update from a CSV file based on a unique patient identifier, as a small office, at least, is really going to resist having to put in the extra manual effort to synch up the Vista patients with those in their practice management system. ------------------------------------------------------- This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Do you grep through log files for problems? Stop! Download the new AJAX search engine that makes searching your log files as easy as surfing the web. DOWNLOAD SPLUNK! http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=lnk&kid=103432&bid=230486&dat=121642 _______________________________________________ Hardhats-members mailing list Hardhats-members@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/hardhats-members ------------------------------------------------------- This SF.net email is sponsored by: Splunk Inc. Do you grep through log files for problems? Stop! Download the new AJAX search engine that makes searching your log files as easy as surfing the web. DOWNLOAD SPLUNK! http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=lnk&kid3432&bid#0486&dat1642 _______________________________________________ Hardhats-members mailing list Hardhats-members@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/hardhats-members
