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

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Medical Imaging
• Information Technology

Background:

• Consolidated enterprises often have fragmented patient records due to multiple patient identifiers (e.g., Medical Record Numbers) per individual.
• Independent management of patient identity information across facilities leads to a fractured view of a patient's medical history.
• Lack of cross-referencing capabilities risks patient harm through misidentification and prevents comprehensive data access.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the challenge of managing multiple patient identity domains within consolidated healthcare enterprises.
• To propose a maturity model for evaluating the capabilities of imaging IT systems in handling diverse patient identifiers.
• To enhance the accuracy and completeness of patient imaging records for improved clinical decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Development of a maturity model to assess imaging information technology systems.
• Categorization of system capabilities for managing multiple patient identifiers.
• Analysis of systems like Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and Vendor Neutral Archives (VNA).

Main Results:

• The proposed model provides a framework for assessing the maturity of patient identity management in imaging IT.
• Identifies critical capabilities needed for cross-referencing records across multiple patient identifier domains.
• Highlights the risks associated with inadequate patient identity management, including potential patient harm.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of multiple patient identifiers is crucial for a unified patient record and patient safety.
• A standardized maturity model can guide the development and selection of imaging IT systems with robust identity management.
• Implementing such a model can mitigate risks, improve data accessibility, and ensure accurate patient identification.