Which index serves as an important source of patient health record numbers?

The Master Patient Index (MPI) is a critical component of health information management that serves to uniquely identify and maintain up-to-date demographic information about patients. It is an essential tool in healthcare facilities, as it accurately links patient records across various systems, ensuring that a patient's health record number is consistently associated with their information, regardless of where they receive care or how many times they are treated.

By maintaining the integrity and accuracy of patient identification, the MPI helps prevent duplicate records and ensures that healthcare providers have access to comprehensive and accurate patient information. This is vital for quality patient care, billing, and clinical decision-making. The other indices mentioned, while useful in their own contexts, do not primarily focus on managing patient health record numbers or linking patients to their corresponding health records in the way that the MPI does.