National Patient Identifiers

Conduct feasibility studies. Governments should appoint a group of government and external experts to conduct a feasibility study of jurisdictional and private/public context and document legislative opportunities or barriers to moving forward with a UHI/NPI system.

Standardize data entry fields across existing systems. Governments should work with partners to standardize data elements across health IT systems so that data is easily shareable between systems.

Develop,advocate for and pass legislation. Governments should mandate adoption of standards providing for a standard national health identifier for each individual,employer,health plan,and health care provider for use in the healthcare system.

Adjust existing data collection processes. Governments should advance the use of regularly collected demographic data elements for patient matching and identification such as phone numbers,mailing addresses,or email addresses. This will ensure that public health authorities have up-to-date contact information when receiving reports from laboratories,hospitals,and other testing sites.

Establish a single organization to manage and oversee the UHI/NPI system. Governments should establish a single organization with the responsibility to oversee and advise on ways to improve patient matching and incorporate new technologies and approaches as they emerge. This organization would identify and encourage adoption of certain standards—such as on biometrics or use of smartphones—by health care organizations and technology developers.

Implement a UHI/NPI system. Governments should roll out a comprehensive and single UHI/NPI system that integrates,delivers,and manages health information technology systems across all health care institutions,including the ability for individuals to access and control their own health records.