How do we handle duplicate patient records in OpenMRS?

OpenMRS has a built-in patient matching algorithm that can identify potential duplicates based on name, date of birth, and other identifiers. The Patient Merge module allows you to merge duplicate records while preserving all clinical data. I recommend running a duplicate detection report monthly and assigning a staff member to review and merge duplicates.

Prevention is better than cure. Implementing a unique patient identifier — such as a national ID number or a facility-assigned ID — and making it mandatory at registration significantly reduces duplicate registrations. Training registration staff to always search for an existing record before creating a new one is also essential.