All patients using health and social care services will be assigned unique identification numbers, according to an article in RTÉ.
Here are five key points:
1. The Health Information and Quality Authority in Ireland created standards for "Individual Health Identifiers."
2. The IHI will not include medical or clinical information, but all personal data of patients.
3. The IDs are meant to improve patient safety, by providing the proper care to the intended person at the appropriate time.
4. The program will test run in three areas: epilepsy electronic records, a multi-GP general practice and the electronic medical records in a hospice.
5. The IHI technology is capable of providing services at a national level, once all legal protocols are finalized.
6. IHI will allow patients and providers to seamlessly navigate the healthcare system by providing information across the industry.
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