VMS Help PATCH, Qualifiers, /UPDATE  *Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX)

       /UPDATE[=(eco-level[,...])]

    Requests that only the patches associated with the specified ECO
    levels be processed. If you specify more than one ECO level, you
    must separate the ECO levels with commas and enclose the list in
    parentheses.

    When you specify the /UPDATE qualifier, the PATCH command file
    specification denotes either a command procedure that contains
    the patches to be processed or an image file to which certain
    patches are to be applied. When the file specification denotes
    a command procedure, the /UPDATE qualifier must precede the file
    specification on the command line. When the file specification
    denotes an image file, the /UPDATE qualifier can precede
    or follow the file specification. In either case, the file
    specification is required.

    If PATCH encounters an ECO level in a command procedure that does
    not match the ECO level specified on the /UPDATE qualifier, PATCH
    ignores the ensuing patch but displays a message. Whenever you
    omit the optional ECO levels, PATCH responds by processing all
    patches submitted.