Patient Identity Management Maturity Model (PIM³) for Imaging Information Technology Systems

In Consolidated Enterprises, there are often more than one set of patient identities or some amount of historic records, such as imaging exams that are still identified by more than one patient identity (also known as a Patient Identifier or Medical Record Number) per person. Information technology systems often need some capability to cross-reference records for the same patient so that the records are linked to the one, correct person. If not, it may create a risk for the patient. Historically, each independent facility or organization managed its own patient identity information, including the unique identifier/Medical Record Number. This can result in a fractured view of a patient's records. To present a longitudinal, unified-view record of a patient, it is necessary to have functions to manage these multiple domains. Without this capability, multiple patient identity domains result in a broken imaging record for the patient and often prevents the discovery of, access to, and comparison of a patient's imaging exams. Even worse, without a method to manage patient identity across records where more than one patient identity domain is involved, the records for two different people can be linked to one patient, resulting in a potentially serious risk for harm. This paper proposes a maturity model to assess and categorize the capabilities of different imaging information technology systems, such as Picture Archiving Communication and Archiving System, Vendor Neutral Archive, and other image management and viewing applications.