They are discussed in this report as alternatives to Unique Patient Identifiers. However, representatives involved in them indicate that in addition to the local identifier, a Unique Patient Identifier and a Central Trusted Authority are desirable to achieve their objectives fully. Healthcare Organizations have the necessary policies and procedures in place for the use and management of Medical Record Numbers. The MPI maintained by provider organizations contain the necessary identification information. Prevention of the issue of multiple Medical Record Numbers has been a challenge and the merger of the respective records a persistent problem in healthcare organizations.
Merger is accomplished through cross- referencing.
Instances of the same Medical Record Number assigned to multiple individuals are fewer in relation to duplicate issues. However, the ability to split the same medical record number assigned to multiple individuals faces the same problems as merging duplicate numbers and records. New numbers are issued to one or all individuals that have the same number. Medical records within the same organization are linked together under the same Medical Record Number. However, the institution specific Medical Record Number does not provide adequate support to track or link medical records from multiple organizations or facilitate the electronic exchange of patient information.