The Universal Patient Identifier: a discussion and proposal
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026

TBase - an Integrated Electronic Health Record and Research Database for Kidney Transplant Recipients
Published on: April 13, 2021
1Division of Endocrinology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Abstract:
The broad-based need for a standard, robust patient identifier is reviewed. Advantages and difficulties of the Social Security Number are considered. An alternative number, composed of birthdate, location, and check digits, is proposed. Logistic extensions of the geographically based schema are made for provider and facility identification. Several variations of representation are described in base 34, which make the composite number short, easily derived and decoded, and robust.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Integrated Healthcare System
Health Information Technology and Healthcare Information System
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
Legal Guidelines for Documentation
Purpose of Health Records II
Purpose of Health Records I
Here's a breakdown of how health records serve these purposes:
Methods of Documentation II: POMR

