CHAA Patient Identification & Identity Theft 2

Question 1

What are the two patient identifiers recommended by The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals?

Accepted Answer

Patient's full name and date of birth (or medical record number)

Answer

Patient's room number and bed assignment

Answer

Patient's insurance card and driver's license

Answer

Patient's diagnosis and physician name

Question 2

A patient's registration information does not match the name on their insurance card. What should the access representative investigate?

Accepted Answer

Whether there has been a legal name change, a data entry error, or potential identity theft or insurance fraud

Answer

Nothing; discrepancies are common and unimportant

Answer

Simply update the registration to match the card

Answer

Cancel the appointment immediately

Question 3

What is medical identity theft, and why is it particularly dangerous?

Accepted Answer

It involves using someone's personal information to obtain medical services, which can corrupt the victim's medical record with incorrect information leading to harmful treatment decisions

Answer

It only affects the victim's credit score

Answer

It is limited to stealing prescriptions

Answer

It only occurs with paper records

Question 4

Which technology can help prevent patient misidentification during registration?

Accepted Answer

Biometric identification systems such as palm vein scanning or fingerprint recognition

Answer

Social media verification

Answer

Self-registration kiosks without identity verification

Answer

Verbal name confirmation only

Question 5

A patient reports someone used their identity to receive medical services. What steps should the access representative take?

Accepted Answer

Document the report, escalate to the privacy officer and compliance department, and initiate the identity theft response protocol

Answer

Tell the patient it's not the hospital's problem

Answer

Ask for proof before acting

Answer

Delete potentially fraudulent records immediately

Question 6

What is the purpose of a patient identity integrity program?

Accepted Answer

To establish systematic processes for preventing, detecting, and correcting patient identification errors and maintaining MPI accuracy

Answer

To manage employee ID badges

Answer

To verify physician credentials

Answer

To track visitor access