Question

When using a registration system for patient management, accurate patient identification is ensured by using ________.

Group of answer choices

the date of birth as the only identifier

social security number to identify the patient

a unique identification code across all departments and systems

scanning the patient's driver's license and insurance card

Answer 1

When using a registration system for patient management, accurate patient identification is ensured by using :

a unique identification code across all departments and systems

Reason: A unique identification code can be linked to a particular individual for all operations within an healthcare institution and to a certain extent when the patient seeks healthcare in another healthcare institution. the code can be used by systems to link the medical information of an individual and will not conflict with the unique code of any other patient.

Incorrect options:

1. the date of birth as the only identifier : Incorrect There can be multiple entries of patients with the same date of birth and hence it is not an accurate identifier

2. social security number to identify the patient : incorrect SSN as an identifier may work well within an organization but when the patient information has to be correlated across the nation or in another region , the SSN is not adequate to be an accurate identifier.

3. scanning the patient's driver's license and insurance card: Incorrect . Scanning the patient's drivers license and insurance card can be done at the time of registration to maintain data but is not a reliable and best patient identifier as there is a risk of identity theft and fraud due to which another person can use your identity to receive care.