Combine Tables so I have 1 record instead of 5 small ones.

[Scott_66701 via AccessMonster.com]

I work for my local EMS and I am trying to convert our Patient Care Reports
over to computer. I have ended up with 5 different forms to compile all the
information we need. I have made 5 tables that go with the forms.

I tried putting all the info into one big table but there is so much
informaiton I need to record that its to big to fit in a table..so thats why
I had to seperate everything into different ones. I am using our run numbers
for the primary key since they are gonna be unique.

I just need help with trying to get the tables to "talk to each other". I
need the records in each table to combine into one big record. I have made
"Run Number" the primary key for each table. I have tried putting
relationships on the tables but with no luck. I don't have a clue how to do
a query, but maybe thats what I need. If someone would be generous enough to
help, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you

 

[John W. Vinson]

I work for my local EMS and I am trying to convert our Patient Care Reports
over to computer. I have ended up with 5 different forms to compile all the
information we need. I have made 5 tables that go with the forms.

Ouch. Paper forms have very different constraints and conventions than
normalized tables, and are therefore a VERY bad template for designing them.

I tried putting all the info into one big table but there is so much
informaiton I need to record that its to big to fit in a table..so thats why
I had to seperate everything into different ones. I am using our run numbers
for the primary key since they are gonna be unique.

I'm all but certain that you have probably several *one to many* relationships
embedded within each "record". For example, if you have fifty-three fields for
medical conditions... you're "committing spreadsheet". Rather than many FIELDS
you should have many RECORDS in a related table.

I just need help with trying to get the tables to "talk to each other". I
need the records in each table to combine into one big record. I have made
"Run Number" the primary key for each table. I have tried putting
relationships on the tables but with no luck. I don't have a clue how to do
a query, but maybe thats what I need. If someone would be generous enough to
help, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you

See some of the tutorials and resources below. Crystal's "Database Design 101"
would be a good start. Or, feel free to post some examples of the fieldnames
in your current tables; someone should be able to help with design.

Do be aware that patient medical care data (especially when associated with
identifying information such as names or addresses) is covered by the very
stringent HIPAA patient-privacy laws. Some would argue that Access native
databases simply cannot be made secure enough to meet these regulations. Just
be sure what you're getting in to!

Jeff Conrad's resources page:
http://www.accessmvp.com/JConrad/accessjunkie/resources.html

The Access Web resources page:
http://www.mvps.org/access/resources/index.html

Roger Carlson's tutorials, samples and tips:
http://www.rogersaccesslibrary.com/

A free tutorial written by Crystal:
http://allenbrowne.com/casu-22.html

A video how-to series by Crystal:
http://www.YouTube.com/user/LearnAccessByCrystal

MVP Allen Browne's tutorials:
http://allenbrowne.com/links.html#Tutorials