An Enterprise Master Patient Index (EMPI) is a database that healthcare organizations use to maintain accurate patient data identifiers across multiple disparate systems. An EMPI ensures that each patient is only registered once across the organization’s healthcare IT systems and that patient matching between systems is seamless.
If multiple records exist for a single patient, a healthcare provider might be unaware of pre-existing conditions and treatment history. There is also the potential for confusing patients with the same name, leading to harmful or deadly treatment mistakes. An EMPI safeguards against these and other problems in medical record-keeping.
What Information Does an EMPI Store?
An Enterprise Master Patient Index contains key patient demographic information that helps identify each client. At a minimum, the data collected for each patient includes:
Other information that a healthcare organization may elect to include in its EMPI includes:
Using the collected data, the Enterprise Master Patient Index assigns a unique patient identifier (UPI) to the patient. The UPI then links patient records to other healthcare IT systems.
How Does an EMPI Work?
A patient matching engine powers EMPI software. Using the UPI and other uniquely identifying information, the matching engine integrates across an organization’s various healthcare applications to ensure patient data aligns into a single record.
The engine uses an algorithm to guarantee the accuracy of linked records. However, there still could be issues with the matches. In these cases, the EMPI software will employ data cleansing techniques to remove inaccurate records and fill in the missing information.
Each vendor will have its own algorithms and data management practices, so a healthcare organization should carefully consider whether particular EMPI software meets its needs. The ideal EMPI package will address the organization’s patient data management problems.
How TempDev Can Help With Your Enterprise Master Patient Index (EMPI)
TempDev’s team of NextGen consultants, developers, and trainers can help you implement, switch, or even upgrade your current EHR system. From dashboards, templates, and reports to revenue cycle consulting, automation, and workflow redesign, TempDev offers the tools to make the most of your NextGen EHR system.
Our team is here to help you design, organize, and implement the whole system, with top tips and guidance based on industry best practices.
Contact us here or call us at 888.TEMP.DEV to get the help you need to integrate your healthcare systems with your healthcare IT system’s Enterprise Master Patient Index.
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