What should an MAA do with duplicate patient records?

Merging duplicate patient records into a single account is essential for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient information. This process ensures that all relevant health data, history, and treatment information are consolidated, allowing healthcare providers to view a complete medical record of the patient. By merging the records, the medical administrative assistant helps prevent confusion that can arise from having multiple versions of the same patient's history, improving patient care and minimizing errors in treatment.

Having a single, comprehensive record also enhances the efficiency of data management within the healthcare system. It allows for streamlined updates and reduces the risk of miscommunication among different departments or providers who may access the patient's information. Additionally, it helps ensure compliance with data privacy laws and improves overall patient satisfaction by providing a clearer and more organized record of their medical care.

In contrast, deleting the older record immediately can result in the loss of valuable health information, which might be crucial for future care. Filing both records separately leads to fragmentation of patient data, which complicates access and diminishes the quality of care. Providing duplicate records to the patient could cause confusion and is not a professional standard of practice for managing patient information effectively.