Biometrics Can Secure Access to Healthcare Records and Controlled Substances: HID

In healthcare, protecting both digital patient records and physical assets like controlled substances has become a top priority. Traditional security methods, such as passwords and ID cards, often fall short, leaving healthcare providers vulnerable to unauthorized access and fraud. As HID’s Chris Neely explains in a recent blog post, biometric technology offers a solution by verifying identities based on unique biological traits, ensuring secure and streamlined access across healthcare facilities.

Controlled substances are among the most strictly regulated items in healthcare due to their potential for abuse. Facial recognition technology secures access to these substances, and can create an automatic log of each retrieval attempt to support compliance with strict regulations. By securely verifying the identity of personnel accessing medical cabinets, biometric systems minimize the risk of unauthorized access. At the same time, the tech can provide a clear chain of custody.

On the digital front, meanwhile, patient records are highly sensitive and often targeted in cyberattacks. Biometric authentication adds a strong layer of security, ensuring only authorized personnel can access patient records, thereby reducing risks related to identity theft and data breaches.

What’s more, as HID’s Neely points out, biometric security can be implemented from the very first interaction with a patient. Integrating facial recognition into patient check-in systems ensures accurate identification from the start, improving care quality by connecting patients with their correct medical records.

Biometric technology not only enhances security but also supports a more efficient healthcare environment. That having been said, Neely rightly points out that not all biometric solutions are equally effective or appropriate for a given situation. When selecting a biometric solution, healthcare providers should consider options with reliable real-world performance, liveness detection, and privacy-focused data handling that complies with regulations like HIPAA.

Biometrics is revolutionizing healthcare by securing access to both digital and physical resources, reducing fraud, and helping providers maintain patient trust. For more insights, HID Global’s eBook, Improve Patient Outcomes and Reduce Medical Fraud With Facial Recognition, provides an in-depth look at the role of biometrics in healthcare.

Source: HID

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October 30, 2024 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team