Healthcare Information Systems Flashcards

A Patient Access Representative notices a duplicate medical record number for the same patient. What is this situation called?

Answer: Duplicate MRN

A duplicate MRN occurs when the same patient has more than one medical record number in the system, risking fragmented care.

What is an 'overlay' in the context of healthcare information systems?

Answer: When one patient's records are incorrectly merged with another patient's record

An overlay happens when one patient's health information is incorrectly combined with another patient's record, creating a serious safety hazard.

Which identifier is used to uniquely identify a patient across all encounters within a healthcare system?

Answer: Medical Record Number (MRN)

The Medical Record Number (MRN) is assigned to each patient and used to link all their encounters within a facility.

What does 'downtime procedures' refer to in healthcare information systems?

Answer: Processes for continuing patient care when the EHR system is unavailable

Downtime procedures are standardized workflows that staff follow to maintain patient care continuity when electronic systems are offline.

In which section of an EHR would a Patient Access Representative most likely verify a patient's primary care provider?

Answer: Patient demographics/header

The patient demographics or header section of the EHR contains identifying information, including the assigned primary care provider.

A registration system automatically checks insurance eligibility in real time. What type of transaction does it use?

Answer: X12 270/271 eligibility inquiry and response

The X12 270 is the eligibility inquiry sent to payers, and the X12 271 is the response confirming patient coverage.

Which system translates physician orders into instructions for pharmacy, lab, and radiology departments?

Answer: Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE)

CPOE systems allow providers to enter orders electronically, which are then routed to the appropriate ancillary departments.