> ## 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.

# Find and check in a patient

> Search for a patient at the desk and check in a booked visit.

## Before you start

You need the role `receptionist` (or `owner` or `admin`). Sign in at `/hospital/login`.

<Frame caption="**Find · check in** on a quiet day. Search on the left, today's check-in queue on the right.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/phbhealth/GtJnfqFNgZgyAOW8/images/guides/front-desk-find-check-in.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=GtJnfqFNgZgyAOW8&q=85&s=ccae022469109e443173a7a777f80dd9" alt="The Find check in screen: a search box on the left and an empty check-in queue on the right." width="840" height="1405" data-path="images/guides/front-desk-find-check-in.jpg" />
</Frame>

## Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the desk">
    Click **Find · check in** on `/hospital`. This opens `/hospital/desk`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search">
    Under **Search for a patient**, type a name, phone number or HPN. HPNs format themselves as you type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check the results">
    A row shows the patient's name, whether they are **Provisional** or **Verified**, and their last visit here. A **possible duplicates** panel appears if PHB sees records that look alike. Check with the patient before you pick one.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check in a booked visit">
    In the **Today** queue, find the patient's booking and click **Check in**. The status changes from **Booked** to **Checked in**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send to the cashier if needed">
    For a pay-at-desk visit, click **Send to cashier**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What you can do here

* Find patients by name, phone or full HPN.
* Check in booked visits, and mark **No-show**.
* Start a walk-in visit. See [Walk-ins](/guides/front-desk/walk-ins).
* Open a patient's desk page to upgrade a provisional record.
* Register a new patient with **New patient — register at desk**.

## Common problems

| What you see | Why | What to do |
| - | - | - |
| **No match at this facility** | Name and phone search only finds patients who have been to your facility before. | **This is not a "patient not found".** If the patient says they have PHB, use [They already have PHB](/guides/front-desk/they-already-have-phb). |
| **No PHB patient with that HPN** | The HPN doesn't exist. | Check the digits on the patient's slip or app. |
| **Search unavailable** | PHB couldn't run the search. | Try again. Don't register the patient again just because search failed. |
| **The front desk isn't part of your role** | You don't hold `receptionist`, `owner` or `admin`. | Ask your owner or admin. |


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