Standardising Client Identification across Adelaide Public Hospitals - An Update

To be able to integrate health information across multiple systems and locations, it is essential that the collection and maintenance of key client identifying demographic data be standardised. South Australia is now moving towards a rigorous approach of client identification across the eight public metropolitan hospitals to support the rollout of a clinical information system. The system is being implemented for all clinical services and an estimated 8,000 doctors, nurses and allied health professionals have been trained in its use. This paper discusses the development and scope of a new set of client identification data standards (for hospitals only) that have been designed to support this project.