Understanding patient record types in SafeScript

SafeScript NSW maintains different types of patient records which provide different information for its users. Patient records are divided into three types based on the information contained in the SafeScript NSW system. These are known as transactional records, regulatory records, and linked records.

Last updated: 30 May 2024

When searching for a patient record, the different type of record is denoted by their icons, as shown below.

Applications for an approval can be made using any of these types of records.

If applying for an approval to prescribe OTP or S8 medicines, using a regulatory or linked record type is recommended to fast track the process and allow approvals to be granted instantly or in real-time.

For more information about how to process approvals from a patient record, see the SafeScript NSW WebHelp.

Transactional patient record

Transactional patient records contain a patient’s high-risk medicine history.
It would include prescribing and/or dispensing information for the last 2 years.
In some instances, a patient may have a prescription or dispensing history which is not captured as a transaction by SafeScript NSW, such as patients on the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) who are prescribed and dispensed their medicines through a public clinic.
This type of profile does not have an editable profile page.
Prescribers are unable to make an application to prescribe or supply a high-risk medicine from this record type. They will need to apply through the approvals grid.

No Patient Profile button appears for this record type.

Regulatory patient record

Regulatory patient records contain information about any approvals that have been held for a patient, including OTP dosing points (where applicable), alternative identities, and approvals history for high-risk medicines.
It will display all approval history for the last 2 years.
If there is no approval history saved in this profile, it means there has not been a valid application submitted for this patient for the last 2 years.
This record provides patient information (called the Patient Profile). This page contains additional information about their identity and address.
These records do not have medication history (i.e. transactional information) associated with SafeScript recorded.
Prescribers are unable to make an application to prescribe or supply a high-risk medicine from this record type. They will need to apply through the approvals grid.

The **Medications button** with transactional information is not available for these records.

Linked patient record

The most complete and accurate record type is known as a Linked patient record.
These records have the combined information of the regulatory and transactional data. They contain SafeScript NSW medication history as well as a profile page with identity and approval history.