> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.phbhealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting access to a record

> The three ways to open a patient's record: consent, treatment basis, and emergency override.

You can't open a patient's record just because you are a doctor. You need a basis. Choose the lightest one that fits.

## Before you start

You need a verified MDCN licence, and the patient's HPN. Open the patient from **Patients**.

## Which one to use

| Situation | Use | What you see |
| - | - | - |
| The patient can use their phone or app | **Consent** | What the patient agrees to. |
| The patient is with you now | **Treatment basis** | This visit and a non-sensitive summary. Sensitive history stays sealed. |
| A genuine emergency and the patient can't consent | **Emergency override** | The full record, including sensitive history. |

## Steps

### Ask for consent

<Steps>
  <Step title="Send an access request">
    On the patient's page, click **Request access**. The patient gets it in their app and approves or declines at **Consent**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Or use a consent code">
    Click **Send consent code to patient's phone**. The patient reads you the code. Type it and click **Confirm code**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Open a treatment basis

<Steps>
  <Step title="Confirm identity (optional)">
    Click **Confirm identity**. You see **Identity confirmed**, **Partial match** or **No match**. Care continues regardless.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Date of birth (optional)">
    Tick **I confirmed the patient's date of birth matches** only if they know it. Leave it unticked if they don't.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open it">
    Add a witness note if you like, then click **Open treatment basis**. The patient is notified.
  </Step>
</Steps>

To see sensitive items under a treatment basis, click **Send consent code to unlock sensitive items**.

### Emergency override

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose emergency override">
    Only in a genuine emergency, when the patient can't consent, for example when they are unconscious.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Give a specific reason">
    Type why this is an emergency. It is required.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Break the glass">
    The full record opens. The patient is notified, and every override is recorded and reviewed.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Use the emergency override only in a real emergency. Prefer a consent code or a treatment basis whenever the patient can take part.
</Warning>

## Common problems

| Problem | What to do |
| - | - |
| **That didn't go through.** | Try again. Check the code with the patient. |
| A nurse triaged the patient and you still can't see the chart | The nurse's access doesn't pass to you. Open your own basis. |
| Note bodies are hidden | You are on a treatment basis. Full notes need consent. |
| The patient says they never got the request | Ask them to open **Consent** in their app, or use a consent code. |

<Note>
  These access routes are built. PHB's chief medical officer has not yet signed off the clinical governance for them (decision D-006).
</Note>


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