Low Hanging Fruit

[Clymer/JR]

Much has been made in the last few years about the need for unique patient identifiers (UPI) as a means of reducing medical errors, and enhancing transactional efficiency. Far from a "solution seeking a problem", this simply requires consensus, and standardization. A just released Rand study "Identity Crisis" makes the case that up-front costs are trivial, when contrasted with long term savings. Similar conclusions are being reached by industry and advocacy groups. At long last, this issue appears to be reaching critical mass!