Patient Registration & Information Management Flashcards

What information is typically captured in an 'encounter form' during patient registration?

Answer: Patient demographics, insurance details, and visit type

An encounter form documents key administrative information such as patient demographics, payer details, and the type of visit for billing and record purposes.

When a patient is admitted as an inpatient, which registration type is used?

Answer: Inpatient admission

Inpatient admission registration is used when a physician formally orders a patient to be admitted to the hospital for overnight or extended care.

A PAR receives a call from a patient's employer asking for confirmation that the patient is currently hospitalized. What is the correct response under HIPAA?

Answer: Decline to confirm or deny without patient authorization

HIPAA prohibits disclosing PHI to unauthorized parties, including employers, without a valid patient authorization.

Which of the following best describes the Master Patient Index (MPI)?

Answer: A database that uniquely identifies every patient registered in a healthcare system

The MPI is a core database that assigns and maintains a unique identifier for each patient to prevent duplicate records and ensure accurate identity matching.

What action should a PAR take when they suspect a patient may be using someone else's insurance?

Answer: Document concerns and notify a supervisor or compliance officer

Insurance fraud is a serious compliance issue; the PAR should document the concern and escalate to appropriate personnel rather than taking unilateral action.

Which of the following identifies the correct order for verifying patient identity during registration?

Answer: Ask for at least two patient identifiers such as name and date of birth

The Joint Commission requires at least two patient identifiers (such as full name and date of birth) to be used to accurately identify patients.

An established patient's address has changed since their last visit. When should this information be updated in the system?

Answer: At the current visit, after verifying the new address with the patient

Demographics should be verified and updated at every encounter to ensure accurate records and successful communication with the patient.