A Medical Record Number (MRN) is a unique identifier assigned to each patient within a healthcare system. This number serves as a core link to all documentation related to an individual’s medical history within that specific institution. For instance, all laboratory results, radiology reports, physician notes, and billing records are indexed under this unique patient identifier.
The function of this identifier is critical for accurate patient identification, efficient retrieval of medical information, and to prevent the commingling of records. Its implementation facilitates comprehensive care delivery by ensuring healthcare providers have complete access to a patient’s medical history. This system is especially vital in larger healthcare networks with multiple facilities to ensure consistent patient identification and data management. Historically, it has evolved from paper-based systems to sophisticated electronic health record (EHR) integrations.