As the HIM supervisor, you are asked to educate staff on key concepts related to the release of information and patient disclosures, such as accurate system data entry, data quality, and authorizations and consents. You are also asked to discuss how the release process is initiated through the retrieval of information through the master patient index; and the affect system entry errors and duplicates. The master patient index (MPI) organizes patient information in relation to record processing procedures.
1. Explain the purpose of the MPI and how to correct MPI errors. Provide at least 2 specific examples of MPI errors, their possible causes, and explain how you would correct them.
2. Explain the concept of data quality. Describe at least two ways that the quality of data can affect patients. Be specific.
3. Explain the difference between authorization and consents, and their implications on the release of different types of patient information.