Submitted by CDC_DSMH_WG on
CDC's comment for proposed inclusion in USCDI v7
We propose the inclusion of "Mother’s Maiden Name" as a data element in USCDI v7 due to its critical role in enhancing patient matching protocols, particularly in neonatal care where infants may not yet have an assigned name. This identifier serves as an essential reference point that improves the precision and reliability of patient identification across healthcare systems, especially in situations where standard identifiers, such as names or birthdates, may be insufficient.
The use of "Mother’s Maiden Name" is particularly valuable in mitigating misidentification risks, which can occur when patients share common names or birthdates. By providing an additional layer of identification, this data element helps ensure patient safety and reduces the likelihood of errors in clinical settings.
Incorporating "Mother’s Maiden Name" into patient records significantly reduces the incidence of duplicate records, a prevalent challenge that undermines administrative efficiency, data integrity, and clinical outcomes. As healthcare delivery becomes increasingly integrated and reliant on seamless information exchange, robust patient identification mechanisms are more crucial than ever.
Furthermore, the inclusion of "Mother’s Maiden Name" aligns with best practices in data management and patient safety initiatives. It supports compliance with regulatory requirements for accurate patient identification and enhances the overall quality of care by ensuring that healthcare providers have access to reliable patient information.
In addition to improving patient matching processes, this data element can facilitate better communication and coordination among healthcare providers, particularly in complex cases involving maternal and child health. It can also play a role in public health initiatives by aiding in the tracking of maternal and infant health outcomes.
We strongly advocate for the integration of "Mother’s Maiden Name" into USCDI v7 to strengthen patient identification efforts. Its adoption will substantially enhance the accuracy and security of patient matching processes, thereby fortifying the overall quality and safety of healthcare services.
Submitted by CDC_DSMH_WG on
CDC's comment for inclusion in USCDI v7
CDC recommends the inclusion of Mother's Maiden Name in USCDI v7. The inclusion of Mother’s Maiden Name is important for strengthening patient matching, particularly in neonatal and early-life care where infants may not yet have stable or fully assigned identifiers. The Mother’s Maiden Name is also a required immunization history core data element, as it is an important key to assuring an accurate match during immunization message exchanges. In these scenarios, it serves as a reliable additional attribute that improves identity resolution when used alongside demographic data.
This data element helps reduce duplicate records and mitigate misidentification risks, especially in cases involving common names or shared birthdates. It is already captured in many registration workflows, supporting its feasibility and implementation across systems.
Given ongoing challenges with patient matching and the need for more precise identification, Mother’s Maiden Name should be included as a required data element rather than optional, for better alignment with required standards practices in the immunization informatics field. Standardizing its capture would improve consistency, enhance data integrity, and support safer, more efficient information exchange across healthcare systems.
We strongly support its inclusion in USCDI v7 with appropriate guidance to ensure consistent and secure use.