HD68 - Progress Report on a Pilot Project for Developing a Master Patient Index


Executive Summary:
Item 293 P.1 through 3 of the 2006 Appropriations Act directed the allocation of general fund monies to various activities that encourage the adoption of electronic health records throughout the Commonwealth. Item 293 P.2 specifically addresses the need to match private monies with state allocations to create a pilot project developing a Master Patient Index (MPI) system. A MPI system is a utility essential to identifying individual patient information across disparate provider groups. The MPI system is considered a significant catalyst to accelerate the development of Health Information Exchanges on a state, regional, or community level. The Governor’s Electronic Health Records Task Force of 2005 recommended the creation and maintenance of a MPI system. The Virginia Department of Health was recommended to assume the lead on this project as it is uniquely positioned to provide management of this capability due to its experience with the relevant stakeholders.