Error: PHN is Already Used

Question:

I get an error that the patient's health care number is already used when trying to create a new patient or update the current demographic data - but - no other file seems to exist in Oscar.

Answer:

The duplicate patient file is most likely inactive. Inactive files do not appear in regular search results.

1. Search for both active and inactive files by selecting the "ALL" button in the patient search interface.
2. Clear the PHN is already used error by:

• reactivating the inactive file (instead of creating a new one) or,
• moving the PHN in the inactive file from the PHN field to the SIN field.