One Patient, Three identities

Photo by Ivan Samkov: pexels.com/photo/a-doctor-using-a-smartphon..

When looking at some of the challenges facing Informations Systems in Public Health Care in South Africa, one area that could alleviate much of the redundancy we see is the establishment of a Master Patient Index.

While working at a buzzing outpatient clinic, I was handed a patient file by a clerk and called for the next patient to enter my room. As my patient began presenting her complaint, I struggled to follow her story. I flipped through the pages to link what she was referring to only to realise I had the right name, but the clerk had pulled the wrong file.

(Actually, it turned out she had 3 files. All in her names. Including the one file she kept at home for “her personal record.”)

The Master Patient Index (MPI) is a patient reference number consisting of unique identifiers that allow for the accurate identification of an individual across institutions. This differs from the Medical Record Number as this number varies according to the facility you visit.

According to the eHealth Strategy for South Africa, a patient-centred electronic integrated national patient-based information system is in the pipeline.

Thus, the Health Patient Registration System (HPRS) was conceived to register all patients attending the public health care services. The Ideal Clinic Realisation and Maintenance (ICRM) program is the vehicle driving the institutionalisation of the HPRS.

Here are some reasons why evolution in this health information system is important:

· Improves patient trust

· Saves patient time and money

· Improves safety and quality

· Better accuracy in data analysis

· Maintains identity integrity

· Reduces redundant testing

· Reduces the number of patient admissions for documenting errors, allergies, or interactions;

· Reduces staff time spent on administration

· …think Batho Pele, think SDG’s…

Despite the lack of infrastructure, with more than half of all clinics struggling with internet connectivity, the department has managed to implement HPRS in just over 29% of its Gauteng National Health Insurance pilot districts.

Having “cradle-to-grave lifetime records that are accurate, complete, authenticated, and accessible by authorized providers” is the gold standard, and great strides have been made toward this.

Stay blessed

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