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Patient and Provider Identity

Two fundamental requirements of HIEs and EHRs are unique Patient and Provider identifiers:

  • Unique Patient Identifiers link patient information and results to one patient record thus allowing providers to access the patient's continuum of care record. 
  • Unique Provider Identifiers enable authorized providers to access  patients' information via source systems, EHRs, and/or HIEs. 

If unique patient and provider identifiers are not used, many challenges and obstacles to patient care can arise:

  • Information may be incomplete resulting in poor clinical decisions 
  • Productivity may be reduced as providers must spend time accessing disparate systems to obtain necessary information
  • Providers may unable to access their patients' records
  • Providers may not be associated with their patients' information when it is available in an HIE

Most hospital and practice systems assign unique identifiers to patients. However, demographic data collected at the time of registration is often incomplete or inaccurate. As a result,  patients may be associated with more than one, or, an incorrect identifier. These circumstances pose downstream challenges for EHRs and HIEs.

Jimenez Consulting Solutions has years of experience with patient and provider identity solutions. Our professionals can help your organization:

  • Develop a business case for enterprise Master Patient/Provider Index (eMPIs)
  • Document business and clinical requirements
  • Assist with system selection and contracting
  • Define integration needs for patient and provider source systems
  • Manage implementation of solutions
  • Assist with benefits definition and realization programs
  • Monitor effectiveness through HIM, EHRs, and HIEs 

Click one of the links below for information about our expertise and methodologies in the areas of IT Strategic Planning,  ARRA HITECH, Business Intelligence, EHRs, Evidence Based Medicine and Outcomes Management, HIEs, HIM, Program and Project Management, and Legal and Regulatory Compliance.

 

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Jim Gibson
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