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News & Events > Resource Library > Healthcare > HIQA calls for unique patient identifier HIQA calls for unique patient identifier A New system for identifying patients across all levels of the Irish Healthcare system should be introduced as soon as possible according to a new report from the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA). The report states that being able to identify an individual through a unique patient identification number is essential for patient safety and improved quality of care. The lack of a reliable patient id and tracking system means people are in danger or at risk of receiving wrong treatment. The absence of this unique health identifier (UHI) for individuals is the single most important deficiency in the health information infrastructure. If a new system was put in place, it would cut down on admin costs and costs associated with adverse events and duplicate testing and streamline records management. Currently there is no reliable or unique method of tracking a patient through the Irish Healthcare system. Healthcare services rely on matching names, addresses and date of birth. This poses a significant risk to the safe delivery of services. The report also states that it would cost some €16million to issue a unique health identity card to each person in the state and another €17 - €30 million to set up a central trusted authority to operate the health identifier system. International evidence suggests that the system will pay for itself within the first few years of implementation but only if the UHI is used universally throughout the healthcare system. The use of PPS numbers should be avoided as they would be unsafe and will lead to increased costs in the long run. It concluded a brand new UHI would be the best and safest option, it would be confined to use within the healthcare sector and leakage of information outside would be greatly diminished. GS1 Ireland presented a submission to HIQA, our recommendation was the implementation of a global service relationship number (GSRN) system as used in the NCHCD Dept. in St.James’s hospital. This involves globally unique identifiers for individuals, healthcare professionals, products and locations. The implementation of the GSRN has contributed to huge cost savings in the track and trace system, product wastage significantly reduced and 40% more patient treatments with same level of staff.

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