PPS numbers are being added to patients’ electronic records and paper registration forms.
The HSE said this will mean the following key changes for healthcare managers.
- Electronic systems and paper registration forms will need to be updated to capture PPS numbers, ensuring a consistent process across healthcare settings.
- Outbound communication such as appointment letters or SMS texts will need to be updated to include a request for the patient to bring their or their child’s PPS number.
- The suggested text to add to an appointment letter for adults is: Please bring your PPS number to your upcoming appointment. Providing your PPS number will help us to verify your identity and allow us to link more easily to your records.
- The suggested text to add to an appointment letter for a child is: Please bring your child’s PPS number to their upcoming appointment. Providing their PPS number will help us to verify their identity and allow us to link more easily to their records.
The HSE said the benefits of PPS numbers included:
- Providing a reliable way to uniquely identify each person.
- Helping healthcare staff connect patients to their healthcare records.
- improved data accuracy and reduction of duplication errors.
- Enabling digital health advancements, such as electronic healthcare records or the HSE App, as accurate patient identification is essential for their success.
The HSE said that key changes for staff were:
- They should ask the patient for their PPS number as part of the patient registration process (such as when they attend the emergency department or outpatient appointment).
- In some cases, the PPS number may already be on the patient’s file. In these cases, ask the patient to confirm the number to ensure accuracy.
The HSE emphasised that if a patient did not have their PPS number or chose not to provide it, they could still receive healthcare.
