Final answer:
A comprehensive MPI maintenance program should include regularly purging deceased patient records. Duplicate records should not be allowed, minor discrepancies should not be ignored, and audits should be conducted more frequently than once a year. (option a)
Step-by-step explanation:
The comprehensive Master Patient Index (MPI) maintenance program:
Regularly purging deceased patient records
Allowing duplicate records for accuracy
Ignoring minor discrepancies in patient data
Conducting MPI audits only once a year
The correct approach to maintaining a comprehensive MPI maintenance program is a) Regularly purging deceased patient records. This helps to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the MPI. Allowing duplicate records would create confusion and inaccuracies. Ignoring any discrepancies in patient data, no matter how minor, could lead to significant issues in patient care and administrative processes.
Furthermore, conducting MPI audits should be done regularly and not just once a year to ensure ongoing accuracy and to identify any issues promptly.