What method of electronic patient matching requires that all identifiers be identical?

Deterministic matching is a method of electronic patient matching where the algorithm requires that all identifiers used in the matching process be identical across the datasets being compared. This means that exact matches on all data points—such as names, dates of birth, social security numbers, or other identifiers—are necessary for a successful match to be made. This method is straightforward and relies on clear-cut, direct comparisons, making it highly accurate in cases where the data is consistent and complete.

In contrast, probabilistic matching involves a more flexible approach by considering the likelihood that records refer to the same individual based on the statistical probability of the identifiers matching, even if some identifiers may differ. Numeric and alphanumeric matching are not widely recognized terms in this context and do not specifically refer to a defined method for matching patient records. Hence, deterministic matching is the preferred answer when the requirement is that all identifiers must match exactly.