# Release Lock
The **Release Lock** feature is used to unlock patient records that are unintentionally locked in the **Patient Register** or **Medical Records** screens. A lock typically occurs when a patient file is already open by another user or was not properly closed.
Locks can be cleared in the following ways:
* The same user who locked the file can reopen and save it to automatically remove the lock.
* An authorized staff member or administrator with access to the **Release Lock** screen can manually release the lock.
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## Overview
The **Release Lock** screen enables users to view, filter, and manage locked patient files. This helps ensure continued access to records and reduces workflow disruptions.
A dropdown filter labeled **All** allows users to narrow down the results by module: **Patient Register**, **Medical Records**, or both. The default selection shows records from all modules.
The locked records are displayed in a grid format with the following columns:
* **PIN** – Patient Identification Number
* **Patient Name** – Name of the patient
* **Check-In** – Date and time of patient check-in (if available)
* **Acquired By** – Username of the staff who acquired the lock
* **Action Type** – Lock behavior (e.g., Lock and Disallow, Lock and Allow View)
* **Acquired Module** – The module where the lock was created (Patient Register or Medical Records)
* **Acquired Date & Time** – Timestamp when the lock was acquired
Each record has a checkbox that allows the user to select one or multiple files for unlocking. The list can be sorted by column headers for easier navigation.
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## Steps to Release a Lock Using the Release Lock Screen
* Open the **Release Lock** screen by navigating to **Home > My Tasks > Release Lock**.
* Use the dropdown filter to select a specific module if needed. The default view displays locks from both **Patient Register** and **Medical Records**.
* Select the patient file(s) you want to release. Multiple selections are allowed.
* Click **Release Lock** at the top-right of the screen to release the selected files. Once the lock is released, the file becomes accessible to other users.
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## Video Tutorial
{% embed url="" %}
Lock Mechanism
{% endembed %}
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