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The primary purpose of the Master Patient Index (MPI) in healthcare is to maintain patient identification and demographic information. The MPI serves as a comprehensive database that contains essential details about patients across various healthcare settings. This includes unique identifiers for each patient, such as medical record numbers, as well as demographic data like names, dates of birth, addresses, and other relevant information.

By ensuring that patient records are accurate and searchable, the MPI supports the delivery of safe and efficient healthcare. It plays a crucial role in preventing duplicate records, which can lead to medical errors or miscommunication among healthcare providers. A well-maintained MPI enhances the continuity of care as healthcare providers can reliably access a patient's medical history, treatments, and preferences.

In contrast, tracking employee performance focuses on workforce management, consolidating financial data pertains to the financial health of the organization, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations involves adhering to laws and standards for patient safety. While these areas are important within the overall healthcare system, they do not directly relate to the function of the Master Patient Index.