The widespread use of electronic health records (EHRs) has helped care providers form more complete health pictures for their patients. However, accurately linking a patient’s medical records across different health institutions remains a challenge. Up to 50 percent of patients may be matched incorrectly when records are sent between healthcare facilities. In a new report, the Pew Charitable Trusts examined possible solutions to this problem by gathering insights from patient focus groups, interviews with doctors and hospital executives, and conversations with experts.
Overall, Pew concluded there is no singular solution. However, there are several short- and long-term steps government, EHR vendors, and hospitals could make to significantly improve matching rates. For example, in the short term, the agency that oversees EHRs, The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, can help standardize how demographic data is recorded. In the long term, biometrics such as fingerprints or iris scans could be used to link medical records. Achieving the goal of a truly interoperable health care system is possible, but it will require action across stakeholders in the healthcare industry.
Read more about the report here.