Office of AIDS - ARIES

Frequently Asked Questions - Page 1

1. What are the hardware, operating system, and network requirements to use ARIES?
   ARIES is a Web application that requires:

Internet Explorer 6.

High-speed Internet connection (DSL, cable, T1, etc.).

Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

                                                      

2. What client identification does ARIES use?
   A unique record number (URN) is calculated for each client using the algorithm specifications as defined by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).  The URN can be calculated from the client's information, but it is impossible to work backwards and determine the client information from the URN.  This makes the URN very useful in reporting unduplicated aggregate data while preserving client privacy.  HRSA algorithm takes the following information and encrypts or scrambles it to produce the URN:

First and third letters of the first name;

First and third letters of the last name; 

Two-digit month, day, and year of birth;

Code for gender (1=Male; 2=Female; 3=Transgender; 9=Unknown); and 

If a field is missing, or say the first or last name is only two letters long, then the number 9 is inserted for that field.

This algorithm works for a modest number of clients, but a primary care provider in San Diego with more than 100,000 patients indicated they get dozens of duplicate URNs.  Therefore, ARIES uses an expanded HRSA URN, which adds:

First initial of the middle name; and 

First and third letters of the mother's maiden name.

                                                           

Frequently Asked Questions - Page 2

ARIES Resources