In health information exchange, what is necessary for effective person identification?

In health information exchange (HIE), effective person identification is critical for ensuring that health data is accurately matched to the correct individual. The process involves not just collecting demographic information, but specifically matching that information to individual patients. This means taking into account various identifiers and attributes linked to a person, such as name, date of birth, and other unique characteristics, to create a reliable record of who the individual is and ensuring that their health information is attributed correctly.

Effective matching is essential for minimizing errors that could lead to patient safety issues, such as mismatched medical records or incorrect treatment. Therefore, the identification process goes beyond simple demographic data or random identifiers; it requires a systematic approach to confirm that the information correlates with a specific individual, thereby enhancing the integrity and reliability of the health information exchanged.