CEHRS Master Patient Index (MPI) and Record Integrity

Question 1

What is the PRIMARY function of a Master Patient Index (MPI) in a healthcare organization?

Accepted Answer

To uniquely identify each patient and link all their records across the health system

Answer

To store clinical diagnoses and treatment histories for billing purposes

Answer

To track outstanding patient account balances

Answer

To manage provider credentials and DEA license renewals

Question 2

A 'duplicate record' in the MPI occurs when:

Accepted Answer

The same patient is assigned two or more separate medical record numbers

Answer

One patient's MRN is incorrectly assigned to a different patient's chart

Answer

A patient's demographic information is entered using two different name formats

Answer

A patient's record is copied to a second facility without authorization

Question 3

A 'record overlay' is the MOST dangerous MPI error because it means:

Accepted Answer

One patient's clinical data is written into a different patient's medical record

Answer

A patient's chart is stored in a legacy system that cannot be migrated

Answer

Two patients share the same appointment slot in the scheduling system

Answer

A paper chart has been scanned and indexed under an incorrect document type

Question 4

An EHR specialist suspects a patient has two separate MRNs in the system. What is the FIRST step that should be taken?

Accepted Answer

Verify through demographic and clinical data review that both records belong to the same patient before initiating any action

Answer

Immediately merge the two records in the EHR to eliminate the duplicate

Answer

Delete the record with the older registration date

Answer

Notify the patient of the error and ask them to confirm which record to keep

Question 5

Which combination of patient demographic fields provides the STRONGEST confidence in a probabilistic patient-matching algorithm?

Accepted Answer

Social Security Number, date of birth, and full legal name

Answer

First name and ZIP code

Answer

Last name and date of birth only

Answer

Phone number and home street address

Question 6

Why is timely resolution of MPI duplicate records considered a patient SAFETY priority, not merely an administrative one?

Accepted Answer

Providers making clinical decisions may be working from an incomplete medical history, leading to medication errors, repeated tests, or missed diagnoses

Answer

Duplicate records increase cloud storage costs significantly

Answer

Regulatory agencies levy fines for each duplicate record discovered during audits

Answer

Duplicate records prevent the patient from accessing the patient portal