# Patient Management

This guide covers how to register, search, view, and manage patient records in FlowRise HMS.

## Patient Registration

Registering a new patient creates their medical record in the system.

### Before You Begin

Ensure you have:
- Patient's full legal name
- Date of birth
- Contact information
- Any existing ID numbers (National ID, NHIS, etc.)

### Registration Steps

1. **Navigate to Patients**
   - Click **Patients** in the sidebar
   - Click **Register Patient**

2. **Enter Basic Information**
   - **Title** - Select Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., etc.
   - **First Name** - Legal first name
   - **Middle Name** - (Optional)
   - **Last Name** - Legal last name
   - **Date of Birth** - Click calendar or type YYYY-MM-DD
   - **Gender** - Select Male, Female, or Other
   - **Marital Status** - (Optional)

3. **Enter Contact Information**
   - **Phone Number** - Primary contact number
   - **Email** - (Optional)
   - **Address** - Physical address

   > **Note:** Contact information is encrypted for privacy.

4. **Add Patient Identifiers**
   - **MRN** - Auto-generated if your facility uses automatic numbering
   - **National ID** - (Optional)
   - **NHIS Number** - National Health Insurance (if applicable)
   - **Other IDs** - Add as needed

5. **Add Emergency Contact** (Optional but Recommended)
   - **Name** - Contact's full name
   - **Relationship** - Parent, Spouse, Sibling, Other
   - **Phone Number** - Contact's phone
   - **Email** - (Optional)

6. **Upload Documents** (Optional)
   - Click **Add Document**
   - Select file type (ID, Insurance Card, Medical Records)
   - Click **Choose File** to upload
   - Supported formats: JPG, PNG, PDF

7. **Save the Patient**
   - Review all information
   - Click **Save** (blue button, bottom right)

---

## Searching for Patients

### Quick Search

Use the search bar at the top of any page:
1. Type patient's name, MRN, or phone number
2. Results appear as you type
3. Click the patient to open their record

### Advanced Search

1. Click **Patients** → **All Patients**
2. Use filters to narrow results:
   - **Branch** - Your facility
   - **Status** - Active/Inactive
   - **Date Range** - Registration date

3. Click **Search** to apply filters

---

## Viewing Patient Records

### Patient Summary

Click a patient name to open their record. The summary shows:
- Basic information
- Active encounters
- Recent vitals
- Documents

### Tabs in Patient Record

| Tab | Contents |
|-----|----------|
| **Overview** | Summary, demographics, contacts |
| **Encounters** | All visits (past and present) |
| **Vitals** | Historical vital signs |
| **Documents** | Uploaded files and images |
| **Identifiers** | All ID numbers |
| **Emergency Contacts** | Contact information |

---

## Managing Emergency Contacts

### Add Emergency Contact

1. Open patient record
2. Click **Emergency Contacts** tab
3. Click **Add Contact**
4. Fill in details
5. Click **Save**

### Edit Emergency Contact

1. Click **Emergency Contacts** tab
2. Click the contact name
3. Click **Edit**
4. Make changes
5. Click **Save**

### Delete Emergency Contact

1. Click **Emergency Contacts** tab
2. Click the contact name
3. Click **Delete**
4. Confirm deletion

---

## Patient Identifiers Explained

Each patient can have multiple identifiers:

| Type | Description | Example |
|------|-------------|---------|
| **MRN** | Medical Record Number (auto-generated) | MRN-2026-00001 |
| **National ID** | Government-issued ID | Ghana Card Number |
| **NHIS** | National Health Insurance | NHIS Number |
| **Passport** | For foreign patients | Passport Number |
| **Custom** | Facility-specific IDs | VIP-001 |

### Adding an Identifier

1. Open patient record
2. Click **Identifiers** tab
3. Click **Add Identifier**
4. Select type
5. Enter ID number
6. Click **Save**

---

## Uploading Patient Documents

Documents help maintain complete records.

### Supported File Types
- Images: JPG, PNG
- Documents: PDF

### Upload Steps

1. Open patient record
2. Click **Documents** tab
3. Click **Upload Document**
4. Select **Document Type**:
   - Identification
   - Insurance Card
   - Medical Records
   - Consent Forms
   - Other
5. Click **Choose File**
6. Select the file
7. Click **Save**

---

## Common Tasks

### Register a Child

1. Follow normal registration
2. Add **Patient School** information if applicable
3. In emergency contacts, add parent/guardian

### Register a Returning Patient

1. Search for existing patient first
2. If found, update their information
3. Only create new record if truly new

### Update Patient Information

1. Search for patient
2. Open their record
3. Click **Edit**
4. Update the information
5. Click **Save**

---

## Tips

**Tip 1: Verify Information**
Always confirm patient identity before updating records. Ask for ID if uncertain.

**Tip 2: Complete All Fields**
More information = better patient care. Fill in optional fields when possible.

**Tip 3: Update Contacts Regularly**
Emergency contacts may change. Ask to verify at each visit.

---

## Troubleshooting

| Issue | Solution |
|-------|----------|
| MRN already exists | Patient may already be registered. Search first. |
| Can't save form | Check for required fields (marked with *). |
| Upload failed | File may be too large (max 10MB). Try a smaller file. |

---

## Next Steps

- [Getting Started](getting-started.md) - Learn the basics
- [Clinical Workflows](clinical-workflows.md) - Start and manage patient encounters
- [Quick Reference](quick-reference.md) - Common tasks