Master Patient Index (MPI): Are we there yet? MPI Records Challenges at the Primary Care Clinic of North Texas

Abstract

Objective: To gain a better understanding of the challenges associated with Master Patient Index (MPI) records on healthcare delivery from the Health Information Management (HIM) professionals’ perspectives. DESIGN: Content analysis of in-depth interviews conducted by the organization using a semi-structured questionnaire to collect information from HIM professionals (n=5). Purposive sampling was used by the organization. Setting: An urban non-profit healthcare facility located in Dallas Texas primarily serving uninsured adults in an outpatient clinic setting. Participants: Health Information Management professionals (HIM) employed by the healthcare facility. Methods: Coding of secondary data was used to analyse interview responses. Measures: Phrases used to identify the challenge is indicated by responses by HIM professionals on how well available data match the specific requirements provided by organizational policy; that all components of the record are present (no missing data); there is no duplication of patient records. Analysis: Content analysis was used in this study. Using priori coding, categories for were established and agreed upon prior to the analysis. Referential coding units were used to make inferences about the challenges that are associated with the MPI from the HIM professional’s perspectives. The sampling units are the responses to one question which asked about the challenges of the MPI from the HIM professionals’ perspectives. Using the Why Patient Matching Is a Challenges Model, the researchers in the study identified the key challenges in patient identification matching in the MPI records. These key challenges include lack of data standardization, frequently changing demographic data, required multiple demographic data points, and default and null values in key identifying fields. This study focused on data capture and standardization with the goal of ascertaining the key challenges associated with accurate patient matching. The anticipated outcome of the current study is to identify the challenges associated with the MPI from the HIM professional’s perspectives can help organizations reduce patient information errors. Therefore, the findings may help influence the healthcare organization make system changes with regards to policies related to electronic patient data management with the MPI.