def handle_entry_type(entry_type)
      # settings is required to trigger exceptions, which set the definition
      HQMF::DataCriteria.get_settings_for_definition(entry_type, @status)
      @definition = entry_type
    rescue
      # if no exact match then try a string match just using entry definition value
      case entry_type
      when 'Medication', 'Medications'
        @definition = 'medication'
        @status = 'active' unless @status
      when 'RX'
        @definition = 'medication'
        @status = 'dispensed' unless @status
      when nil
        definition_for_nil_entry
      else
        @definition = extract_definition_from_entry_type(entry_type)
      end
    end
def handle_entry_type(entry_type)
      # settings is required to trigger exceptions, which set the definition
      HQMF::DataCriteria.get_settings_for_definition(entry_type, @status)
      @definition = entry_type
    rescue
      # if no exact match then try a string match just using entry definition value
      case entry_type
      when 'Medication', 'Medications'
        @definition = 'medication'
        @status = 'active' unless @status
      when 'RX'
        @definition = 'medication'
        @status = 'dispensed' unless @status
      when nil
        definition_for_nil_entry
      else
        @definition = extract_definition_from_entry_type(entry_type)
      end
    end
Generate the definition and/or status from the entry type in most cases.
 If the entry type is nil, and the value is a specific occurrence, more parsing may be necessary.