ASTM E1714-07(2013)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Properties of a Universal Healthcare Identifier (UHID) (Withdrawn 2022)
Standard Guide for Properties of a Universal Healthcare Identifier (UHID) (Withdrawn 2022)
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Recent experience with computer-based patient records (CPRs) has revealed many valuable potential benefits, but it has also become apparent that the effective application of this technology creates some new problems. CPRs offer the option for lifelong linkage of all records on a patient, from birth to death. Such longitudinal record linkage would make the patient’s entire past health history retrievable. This could make possible a quantum leap in the clinical practice of health care, but a reliable patient identifier is essential to make large-scale regional and nationwide record linkage feasible. The design of a patient identifier system is not a simple task. Incorrect record linkage would create confusion, at least, or possibly cause serious consequences. To gain the benefits from such an identifier, it must be used by all relevant organizations. A universal patient identifier system must resist unauthorized access to confidential clinical data.
Furthermore, the creation of personal identifiers for the entire population must be a cost-effective process in light of ongoing fiscal constraints. The creation and administration of personal identifiers for the entire population must be accomplished at a cost that is widely accepted as affordable and justified. Last, but not least, a time pressure exists. The solution to the patient identifier challenge should use technology to facilitate rapid deployment of the system to permit the expeditious implementation of CPRs. A companion document, Guide E2553, provides the implementation strategy concerning how to actually implement the UHID system.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers a set of requirements outlining the properties required to create a universal healthcare identifier (UHID) system. Use of the UHID is expected to initially be focused on the population of the United States but there is no inherent limitation on how widely these identifiers may be applied.
1.2 This guide sets forth the fundamental considerations for a UHID that can support at least four basic functions effectively:
1.2.1 Positive identification of patients when clinical care is rendered;
1.2.2 Automated linkage of various computer-based records on the same patient for the creation of lifelong electronic health care files;
1.2.3 Provision of a mechanism to support data security for the protection of privileged clinical information; and
1.2.4 The use of technology for patient records handling to keep health care operating costs at a minimum.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This guide covers a set of requirements outlining the properties required to create a universal healthcare identifier (UHID) system. Use of the UHID is expected to initially be focused on the population of the United States but there is no inherent limitation on how widely these identifiers may be applied.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee E31 on Healthcare Informatics, this guide was withdrawn in July 2022 in accordance with section 10.6.3 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:E1714 −07 (Reapproved 2013)
Standard Guide for
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Properties of a Universal Healthcare Identifier (UHID)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1714; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E1384 Practice for Content and Structure of the Electronic
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Health Record (Withdrawn 2017)
1.1 This guide covers a set of requirements outlining the
E2553 Guide for Implementation of a Voluntary Universal
properties required to create a universal healthcare identifier
Healthcare Identification System
(UHID) system. Use of the UHID is expected to initially be
focused on the population of the United States but there is no
3. Terminology
inherent limitation on how widely these identifiers may be
applied. 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 clinical record linkage—individual unit records linked
1.2 This guide sets forth the fundamental considerations for
for the purpose of documenting the sequence of events or care,
a UHID that can support at least four basic functions effec-
or both, for a specific patient.
tively:
3.1.2 discriminating power of an identifier— the capability
1.2.1 Positive identification of patients when clinical care is
rendered; of an identifier to reduce the possible global population to a
smaller number. For example, sex identification reduces the
1.2.2 Automated linkage of various computer-based records
populationsizetoapproximatelyhalf.Dateofbirthreducesthe
onthesamepatientforthecreationoflifelongelectronichealth
population size to approximately one of 25 000 in the United
care files;
States. The smaller the population size covered by an identifier
1.2.3 Provision of a mechanism to support data security for
(that is, the greater the discriminating power), the better that
the protection of privileged clinical information; and
identifier is.
1.2.4 The use of technology for patient records handling to
keep health care operating costs at a minimum.
3.1.3 encounter—an instance of direct interaction, regard-
less of the setting, between a patient and a practitioner vested
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
with primary and autonomous responsibility for diagnosing,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
evaluating, treating, or some combination thereof, the patient’s
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- condition or providing social worker services (See Guide
E1384).(Encountersdonotincludeancillaryservices,visits,or
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor- telephone contacts.)
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.4 episode of care—a chain of events over a period of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
time during which clinical care is provided for an illness or a
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
clinical problem (See Guide E1384).
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1.5 healthcare identifier—a tag for the identification of an
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
individual created for exclusive use of the health care system.
3.1.6 identifier—a datum, or a group of data, that allows
2. Referenced Documents
positive recognition of a particular individual.
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.7 management organization—an organization respon-
sible for the management and oversight of the UHID system
and its operations.
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E31 on Healthcare
Informatics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E31.25 on Healthcare
3.1.8 occasion of service—a specified identifiable instance
Data Management, Security, Confidentiality, and Privacy.
of an act of service involved in the care of patients or
Current edition approved March 1, 2013. Published March 2013. Originally
consumers (See Guide E1384).
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E1714 – 07. DOI:
10.1520/E1714-07R13.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
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Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E1714−07 (2013)
3.1.9 permanent identifier—a characteristic feature of an 3.1.1
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