The Case Lock/Close section enables you to lock a case, unlock a locked case, and formally close a case. You must lock the case before you can generate a report. The following is an illustration of the Case Lock/Close section on the Activities tab.
Note: The system displays disabled users in the user drop-down list in alphabetical order with an asterisk (*) at the end. You can view the total number of times the case has been routed in the header section, excluding the blank rows.
When closing a case, be aware of the following:
■ If the Auto-schedule Later checkbox for expedited reports is checked and you try to archive a case, the system displays the following message:
Case xxxx cannot be closed while Auto Schedule Later is checked. Please uncheck the option for the Auto Schedule Later option on the Regulatory Reports tab or wait for the Report Scheduling to complete before attempting to archive the case.
■ The system displays this same message when you close single or multiple cases from the New/Open dialog on the Worklist.
Case Lock/Close Fields and Field Descriptions
The following table lists and describes the fields in the Case Lock/Close section of the Activities tab.
Locking a Case To lock a case
1. In the Case Lock/Close section of the Activities tab, click Lock.
2. The system opens the Case Locking dialog box.
Field/Control Name Description
Case Status Enables you to unlock, lock, or close a case after entering the appropriate user information.
■ Unlock -- Enables you to unlock a case if you have the appropriate permissions. To unlock a case, enter the password you use to log on to Argus Safety.
■ Lock -- Enables you to lock a case if you have the appropriate permissions. The current date will be used for the lock date. To lock the case, enter the password you use to log on to Argus Safety in the Case Locking dialog box.
■ Close -- Enables you to close a case if you have the appropriate permissions. To close the case, enter the password you use to log on to Argus Safety in the Case Closure dialog box.
Closure Date Date on which the case was locked or closed. If a locked case is being viewed by a user, any other user who tries to access the same case will have read-only access to the case.
■ Cases should be closed only after all action items for the case are complete, all expedited regulatory reports have been submitted, and all the expected follow-up information has been received. If a closed case that is closed requires modification, the case must be re-opened by using the password.
■ A case may be either locked or closed, but not both. A locked case will be moved from the locked state to the closed state without having to unlock first.
■ Note: Case closure should not be confused with closing the Case Form. Closing of the Case Form refers to removing the current Case Form from the screen.
Lock or Closed By Displays the name of the user who locked or closed the case.
Notes Displays relevant information about the case lock or closure.
3. Enter your Argus Safety password in the Password field.
4. Enter any notes in the Notes field.
5. Click OK.
6. The system displays the locking notes in the Notes field of the Case Lock/Close
Unlocking a Case Use the following procedure to unlock a case.
To unlock a case
1. In the Case Lock/Close section, select Unlocked from the Case Status drop-down list.
2. When the system opens the Locked Case dialog box:
1. Type your password in the Password field.
2. Type any relevant information in the Notes field.
3. Click OK.
3. When the system opens the Case Unlock dialog box, click one of the following:
■ Significant F/U
■ Non-significant F/U
■ Other
Setting the Focus for a Follow-up Event After unlocking a case, the system sets the focus for significant/non-significant follow-up events as follows:
1. When you click the Significant F/U button on the Case Unlock dialog, the system automatically displays the case General tab, checks the Significant check box for both drugs and devices (if enabled by the profile switch), and sets the focus on the Follow-up Received Date.
Screen: Argus > Case Actions > Open > (Select a Case) > General Tab > General Information Section > Follow-ups sub-section (middle of screen).
■ The system checks to determine whether the Significant check box is checked.
■ The system sets the focus on the Follow-up Received Date.
2. When a case is unlocked and you select the Non-Significant F/U button from the case unlock pop-up dialog, the system automatically displays the case General tab and sets focus on the Follow-up Received Date.
Argus > Case Actions > Open > (Select a Case) > General Tab > General Information Section > Follow-ups sub-section (middle of screen)
■ The Significant check box is not checked.
■ Focus is on the Follow-up-Received Date.
■ You can add multiple follow-ups.
Note: To unlock a case from the Locked/Archived state, select the Unlocked value from the Case Status drop-down list. This will display the Archived Case or Case Lock dialog. The dialog box requires you to specify your password and the reason for unlocking the case. The case is unlocked/archived after you enter this
information.
Argus > Case Actions > Open > (Select a Case) > General Tab > General Information Section > Follow-ups sub-section (middle of screen)
– If you add a single follow-up, the Add button remains available for the user to add additional follow-ups.
– Currently, the Add button disappears after the user adds a single follow-up. The user must save, close and reopen the case before he/she can add an additional follow-up.
■ A hyperlink in the follow-ups section enables you to open the link in a different dialog box.