Patient's records in Crystal are indexed by "Full-Text Index" method in SQL Server.

Following fields are included in building index for patients records.

  • Name
  • Patient_Code
  • Alternate_Code
  • UID
  • Employer
  • Employee_Code
  • Email
  • Phone
  • Mobile
  • Occupation
  • Contact_Type
  • Address
  • Area
  • City
  • State
  • Country


So, any entries in these fields can be searched. 


As per "Full-Text Index" logic, any entries of less than 3 characters are omitted from index, as they can't make meaningful data, and it just adds junk entries in output list. So users are required to enter at least 3 character words to make it searchable.


Moreover, quick-search in Crystal will start searching with minimum 5 characters entered in search box. As, anything less than 5 characters will build the output index so large that it's impractical to short-list it in common scenario.


Following are some examples to explain this logic:


Patient Record
Valid Search Phrases
Invalid Search Pharses
Name: Rajendra Ramnikbhai Doshi
Patient_Code:    18-01754
Employer: ONGC
Mobile: 98989 89898
Address: ABC Towers, XYZ Lane
Area: Alpha Area
City: Ahmedabad
  • Rajendra Doshi (Any part of name)
  • Raj Dos (Any part of name)
  • Raj Ram (Any part of name)
  • Rajendra ONGC (Any combination of data in indexed fields)
  • Raj 98989 (Part of Name and part of mobile number)
  • Raj ABC Towers (Part of Name and part of address)
  • Raj Alpha Area (Part of Name and part of area)
  • Raj Ahmedabad (Part of Name and part of city)
  • 18-001754 (Patient Code)
  • 9898989898 (Mobile)
  • ABC Tow (Part of area)
  • Alpha Area ONGC (Part of area and employer)
  • ONGC Ahmed (Employer and part of city)
  • R R Doshi (Less than 3 character is omitted from search)
  • endra oshi (Searched word and saved records are matched from the beginning, i.e. first character. It can't search from the middle of the word)


Important Note:


All the users are encouraged to record Full Name of patient for search, index and medico-legal purposes. 


It is commonly observed that patients are reluctant to reveal full name (especially full middle name), complete postal address etc. at front-desks as they aren't aware of importance of medical records. But for all purposes, it is very important to register full name (Full First Name + Full Middle Name + Full Last Name). It is important to counsel and train the front-desk staff to tackle such situation where patients are not cooperative to reveal full details.


  • Full Name (Full First Name + Full Middle Name + Full Last Name)
  • Complete Postal Address (Anyone should be able to locate the place with given address, courier should be able to deliver posts/cards/invitations to the given address)
  • Permanent Mobile Number
  • Email Address
  • Patient's photograph
  • UID / Aadhar (Preferred, but not mandatory)


These are the integral part for valid medical record. Please train your staff, and ensure that these details are filled completely for each and every case they generate.


Happy Crystalling,

Have a wonderful day!