Matching identifiers in electronic health records: implications for duplicate records and patient safety.
McCoy AB, Wright A, Kahn MG, et al. Matching identifiers in electronic health records: implications for duplicate records and patient safety. BMJ Qual Saf. 2013;22(3):219-24. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2012-001419.
The presence of duplicate records (a single patient having multiple medical records within the same system) is a risk factor for preventable errors. This study at five academic medical centers found that duplicate records were common, with the incidence varying widely across centers.