A shift in how identities are used across healthcare is fuelling demand for smart cards, as healthcare institutions become more connected, says an ID and access control product company. Technology is changing how institutions operate, how they manage access to patients, data and equipment, how they protect patient privacy; according to HID Global.
Sheila Loy, Director, Healthcare Industry with HID Global said: “Healthcare organisations are increasingly seeking to improve the physician, staff and patient experience by employing a combination of strong authentication and new Internet of Things (IoT) applications to address their challenges. Trusted identities will simplify and connect all aspects of healthcare operations, from opening hospital doors, accessing healthcare records and e-prescribing of controlled substances, to how healthcare professionals interact with patients and log their activities.”
The ID product firm says that healthcare is embracing new ways to establish, create, manage and use trusted identities. HID sees a number of technology trends:
Multi-factor authentication will incorporate One Time Password (OTP) tokens, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and biometrics. These will be used to protect patient records and data; secure access to facilities; authenticate remotely to VPNs using mobile devices; and enable new IoT use cases. Unified platforms will also add intelligent visitor management systems and automate other manual workflows to provide access management that integrates with access control, IT security and other applications.
Continued adoption of electronic visit verification (EVV) will help streamline in-home patient visits and (in the US) eliminate billing fraud using “proof of presence” applications that make it easier to document the time, location and delivery of care. Healthcare institutions will embrace trusted IDs, predictive analytics and new IoT solutions that use real-time location-based services to connect, monitor and manage patients, mobile clinicians and staff. These solutions will also help locate critical medical equipment, beds, crash trolleys and other medical devices by providing a link between physical assets and IDs.
Biometrics will be used to ensure the right patient is receiving the care, and that providers are authorised to manage confidential patient medical records. Biometrics will also be used for e-prescribing to authenticate the issuer, pharmacy staff and/or the patient, with fingerprint biometrics continuing to be one of the most widely used. Biometrics sensors and modules will continue to deliver for healthcare, including finger image capture.
Visit https://www.hidglobal.com.
