MCB Data Cloud Certification Practice Exam

If a healthcare client wants the most accurate matching results while avoiding PII risks, what should they prioritize in the matching criteria?

1. Comprehensive data aggregation

2. Exact matches only

3. Unique patient identification

4. Broad attribute matching

The correct answer is: Unique patient identification

Prioritizing unique patient identification is essential for achieving the most accurate matching results while minimizing personally identifiable information (PII) risks in healthcare settings. Unique patient identifiers serve as distinct markers that can differentiate individuals accurately without relying on sensitive information like full names, addresses, or dates of birth. By focusing on unique patient identification, healthcare clients can create a reliable system that reduces the risk of mismatches while simultaneously protecting patient privacy. This method typically relies on identifiers such as medical record numbers, unique healthcare identifiers, or other specialized codes that do not expose personal details, thus ensuring compliance with regulations regarding data privacy. Other approaches, such as exact matches, may inadvertently require the use of sensitive data that could lead to PII exposure. Similarly, broad attribute matching and comprehensive data aggregation can introduce ambiguity and increase the likelihood of mistaken identity, which could compromise patient safety and data integrity. Therefore, unique patient identification stands out as the most effective strategy for accurate matching in a manner that adheres to privacy standards in the healthcare industry.