Anticlue

Interfacing to a previously non-interfaced system

As systems get replaced with newer improved systems, one should always be considerate if an ADT interface is a new feature to that system. The reason behind this is that a new ADT interface will update the unique patient identifier with the information from the enterprise master patient index. So if the numbers match, but the names don't match, then any paper records previously associated with the replaced system won't match based on name. This is also true if the system being replaced didn't accept interfaces for merging patient information, A33 and A44 hl7 transactions.

Therefore it is a good idea in the project plan of the new system to add a stage early in the implementation to compare the system's patient index identifiers or medical record numbers to the enterprise master patient index. The compare should be based on whether the soundex difference of the names are different, the date of birth is different, and the sex is different between the two systems. Attempt to reconcile all differences in accordance with the MPI, if the newly added ancillary system believes its information is correct update the enterprise MPI, otherwise update the ancillary system and the paper associated with that ancillary system.