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Change a Patient Name

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If a Patient’s Name is misspelled in Epic and Cerner…

First, talk to the patient in clinic if possible and verify the correct spelling with an official ID (driver’s license, etc). Scan a copy of their identification. This will obviously not be possible for all patients.

YOU CAN CHANGE THE PATIENT’S NAME IN CERNER ONLY IF IT’S BEEN 7 DAYS OR LESS SINCE THE PATIENT’S LAST APPOINTMENT; OTHERWISE YOU MUST CALL CERNER. So if you know about a misspelling, take care of it ASAP

  1. In Cerner, click on the blue eye (appointment inquiry).
  2. Search for the patient under the “person” tab.
  3. Select the most recent appointment (don’t double click it) and in the same (Schedule Inquiry) window, click on the white face button (Person Management).
  4. In the window that pops up (“Encounter search”), click on the “Modify” button in the bottom right.
  5. You should now be able to change the person’s name. Fill in any required fields: if it asks you where the patient was discharged to, say “home”, then hit “OK”.
  6. If you’re still having problems, or if it’s been >7 days, call Cerner support: 212-241-7077 (M-F, 9-5) or 212-241-HELP (after hours).
  7. Someone at the Cerner Support Desk will either get your phone number and call you back or deal with your issue right away.
  8. Tell them the patient's MRN, and what the name should be spelled as, and they should take care of it.