9.7. Privileged functions for clinicians
9.7.1. Find text anywhere
This is exactly like the Find text anywhere function available to researchers, but allows you to enter a direct patient identifier (patient ID or master patient ID) – such as a RiO number (PID) or an NHS number (MPID). It then searches the research database.
Warning
This function relates to identifiable information. In the UK, you should only use this function in relation to patients to whom you are personally delivering clinical care, and whose identifiable information you have the right to see. You may not look up information about other patients. All requests are audited, as for the original clinical records themselves.
Warning
Be aware that the research database may (and often will) lag behind the clinical database. Absence of information in the research database does not imply absence of information from the clinical source database.
Your research database administrator may provide a site query to show you how “fresh” the research database is.
9.7.2. Look up research ID from patient ID
Researchers operate with research IDs and aren’t allowed to know patients’ actual identities without specific patient consent. Even then, they are not given patient ID values.
However, as a clinician you will already know the patient IDs and/or master patient IDs for patients to whom you are delivering care. There is a possibility that you may find the research database useful to search records from your patient(s). You’re allowed to see their records in full anyway. Therefore, you are permitted to look up their research IDs, the “currency” of the research database.
Warning
This function relates to identifiable information. In the UK, you should only use this function in relation to patients to whom you are personally delivering clinical care, and whose identifiable information you have the right to see. You may not look up information about other patients. All requests are audited, as for the original clinical records themselves.
9.7.3. Submit patient contact request
This is like the function that researchers have to submit a contact request, but as a clinician providing care to the patient in question, you can do more. The “extras” are:
You can look up the patient using a clinical identifer, such as the MPID (e.g. NHS number).
You provide your own details, and any autogenerated letters come from you (rather than the computer’s other best guess about the right clinician to use).
You can ask the database manager right now to do any delegated work necessary (such as printing letters and sending them to the patient).
Warning
This function relates to identifiable information. In the UK, you should only use this function in relation to patients to whom you are personally delivering clinical care, and whose identifiable information you have the right to see. You may not look up information about other patients. All requests are audited, as for the original clinical records themselves.