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What can I do about duplicate cases in the database?
What can I do about duplicate cases in the database?
Kyle Minckler avatar
Written by Kyle Minckler
Updated over a week ago

Search First

Our highest recommendation for proactively reducing case duplication within your network is to train all agents to search for the client before adding a new case. Searching first can reduce confusion and save hours spent with de-deduplication.
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​TIP: If your clients return frequently, consider implementing ID cards or try out our most recent barcode scanning feature: third-party barcodes to use their driver's license as their ID Card.
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System Duplicate Warning

The system does its best to proactively prevent duplicate cases from being entered if a client already exists in the database. When adding a case, the system cross-references on a combination of Name, Date of Birth, Street Address, and Social Security Number (if you have SSNs enabled).

For example, if you attempt to add a new case that shares any or all of those Case details, a prompt will appear (shown below). You can then preview existing Cases in the database, from a new tab, by clicking on the Case name or the button "View Existing Case".

After previewing any cases, close the newly opened tab to return to the list of possible matches. If you've identified that the client you want to add matches an existing case, click the "Use This Case" button on that case.

There is also an option to "Ignore Possible Duplication and Add New Case" for unique situations where there is a coincidence and the case you are adding matches closely but not exactly to an existing case. (Using this option will flag this case for duplication review by the agency and network administrators.)


Merging Individual Cases

You can individually merge (or flag) cases if you've found two or more identical cases in the network.


Kiosk Duplicate Auto-Merge Functionality (for Pro Users)

As clients perform Kiosk Mode intake, a case for them may already exist in the network. With this new setting, each agency can enable the system to automatically merge the Kiosk entry with the client's pre-existing case.

Automatic merging will only occur if the duplicate falls into these three segments:

Perfect Match

High Probability Match

Lowest Acceptable

Same SSN

Same First and Last Name

Same First and Last Name

and the same First and Last Name

and Same Street Address & Apt #

and the same DOB

and the same DOB

or with the same Street Address and Apt #

and the same Phone Number

or with the same Phone Number

** and no demographic conflicts

** and no demographic conflicts

** and no demographic conflicts

If the duplicate does not fall into the categories above, the case will be added to the network and appear in the [Duplicate Cases] tab for review.

If Auto-Merge is not enabled, the system will still add possible Kiosk duplicates in the [Duplicate Cases] tab for review.


Network Duplicate Management Tool

In the past, only network administrators could review/manage duplicate cases. In September 2022, we released new functionality allowing network and agency administrators to collaborate to manage case duplication.

For Agency Administrators...

Under the blue [My Agency] tab, agency administrators will see a new tab labeled "Duplicate Cases". Within this tab, they will see a list of all potential duplicate cases within their agency only.

Using a powerful set of filters, agency administrators can optionally narrow down a long list of potential matches by:

  • Type

  • Entry / Assistance Date Ranges

  • Specific Case Field Matching

Within the list, they can then Merge cases or mark any that are not true matches as Not a Duplicate.

For Network Administrators...

Under the red [Admin] tab, network administrators will see a tab labeled "Duplicate Cases". Within this tab, they will see a list of all potential duplicate cases within the entire network.

Released in 2022, network admins will now see a new set of powerful filters. These filters are designed to help narrow down a long list of potential matches by:

  • Type

  • Agency

  • Entry / Assistance Date Ranges

  • Specific Case Field Matching

Within the list, they can then Merge cases or mark any that are not true matches as Not a Duplicate.


Duplicate management has never been easier in CharityTracker and Oasis Insight! If you run into any issues or have any questions, reach out. We're here to help!

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