> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://userguide.tesacloud.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Add a Patient

> How to create a new patient record in Tesa Cloud

# Add a New Patient

Create patient records before scheduling operations. Patient information can be entered manually or imported via API integration.

## Create a Patient Manually

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to My Patients">
    Click **My Patients** in the navigation menu
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Add Patient">
    Click the **+** button at the top of the patient list
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Demographics">
    Complete the required fields:

    * **First Name Initial** - Single letter
    * **Last Name** - Patient's surname
    * **Year of Birth** - Four-digit year
    * **Gender** - Select from dropdown
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add EHR ID">
    Enter the patient's EHR/Medical Record Number for easy cross-referencing
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Contact Details">
    Add contact information:

    * **Email Address** - For report delivery
    * **Mobile Phone** - For SMS communications
    * **Preferred Contact Method** - Email or SMS
    * **Preferred Language** - For reports and surveys
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Patient">
    Click **Save** to create the patient record
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Required vs Optional Fields

| Field              | Required | Notes                           |
| ------------------ | -------- | ------------------------------- |
| First Name Initial | Yes      | Single letter only              |
| Last Name          | Yes      | Patient's surname               |
| Year of Birth      | Yes      | For age calculation             |
| Gender             | Yes      | Medical documentation           |
| EHR Patient ID     | No       | Recommended for cross-reference |
| Email              | No       | Required for email reports      |
| Mobile Phone       | No       | Required for SMS surveys        |
| Ethnicity          | No       | For demographic tracking        |

## Contact Preferences

Set how the patient prefers to receive communications:

* **Email** - Post-op reports, survey links
* **SMS** - Survey reminders, notifications
* **Language** - Reports and surveys will be sent in this language

<Tip>
  Patients can receive surveys in multiple languages including English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, and Hindi.
</Tip>

## After Creating a Patient

Once a patient is created, you can:

1. [Schedule an operation](/scheduling/schedule-operation) for the patient
2. [Add observations](/patients/patient-observations) about their condition
3. [View their profile](/patients/patient-profile) to edit details