GAO reports on approaches, challenges to EHR patient record matching

The Government Accountability Office today released a congressionally-mandated report examining approaches and challenges to matching patients to their electronic health records, and efforts to improve patient record matching. Stakeholders interviewed for the report said more could be done to improve patient record matching, such as implementing common standards for recording demographic data; sharing best practices and other resources; and developing a public-private collaboration effort. The report was required by the 21st Century Cures Act.