# How to Start a New Patient

When you select a new patient in CPRS and activate Anticoagulation from the Tools Menu, the Anticoagulation Management Tool attempts to find the patient in the Flow Sheet file. If the patient is not in the file, it displays a message saying:
Patient is NOT in Anticoagulation database. Add patient to file and continue?
To put the patient into the Flow Sheet file, you must navigate through the five patient-centric tabs in the Anticoagulation Flow Sheet and press the Complete Visit button on the Exit tab. (If you go out of the Anticoagulation Flow Sheet earlier by using the red X, the record is not saved.
Here is what you should do in each of the patient-centric tabs:

- Demographics: Fill in the Primary Indication, INR Goal, and Clinic Name.
- Pt Preferences: Check relevant boxes, fill in Special Instructions and Secondary Indication(s)/Risks, update Start and Orientation dates, and click the Apply button. The Save/Exit button does not create a record in this situation.
- Flowsheet: May be skipped.
- Enter Information: Type in Comments and update the Suggested Daily Dosing table.
- Exit: Edit, sign, and Submit the Anticoagulation Clinic Start Note. Then set a Return for INR Draw date, check which labs are ordered, fill in PCE Data, and print a letter (by clicking the Completed Visit button under Letters). Finish by clicking the Complete visit button in the lower right-hand corner.

The patient is not added to the Flow Sheet file unless you press the Complete visit button.