Biometric technologies are being leveraged throughout multiple settings in healthcare and are foreseen to expand further in the near future. The following diagram depicts the estimated growth for biometrics in healthcare around the world between 2015 and 2024 (Dolan, 2015).
As learned in other modules, biometrics is a strong replacement for conventional security methods such as passwords or pin numbers. In healthcare, biometrics can be used for many purposes such as the following (Zuniga et al., ,2009):
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Figure 1: Global market for healthcare Biometric authentication to generate revenue (Dolan, 2015).
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For instance, using biometric systems to identify patients correctly can help decrease medication errors as these errors are commonly due to healthcare providers mistakenly prescribing a medication to the wrong patient; by utilizing biometric technologies, the incorrect identification of patients which may lead to medication errors can be reduced (American Sentinel University, 2014).
In addition, in the USA, it was found that “$80 billion is lost annually in Medicare fraud alone” (Biometrics Research Group Inc, 2015). In 2015, the FBI apprehended more than 240 people in a medical insurance scam where personal health information was compromised (Lobosko, 2015).Biometric technology would play an essential role in helping to reduce this type of fraud.
Below are some current examples of how Biometric technologies are being used in healthcare.
In addition, in the USA, it was found that “$80 billion is lost annually in Medicare fraud alone” (Biometrics Research Group Inc, 2015). In 2015, the FBI apprehended more than 240 people in a medical insurance scam where personal health information was compromised (Lobosko, 2015).Biometric technology would play an essential role in helping to reduce this type of fraud.
Below are some current examples of how Biometric technologies are being used in healthcare.
Fingerprint Recognition
As mentioned in previous modules, fingerprint recognition is one of the more mature biometric used for identification. Around the world, many hospitals and other organizations are implementing fingerprint biomentric systems to solve problems such as fraud or make patient identification easier. In 2004, the Medicaid Integrity Pilot (MIP) was launched in Texas to combat fraud by requiring Medicaid providers and patients to use fingerprint scanners when checking in for identification (Marohn, 2006).
Another great example is fingerprint identification used in South Africa. With an AIDS/HIV epidemic, many patients would try to use stolen identities "to receive additional, or replicate services" (Marohn, 2006). Furthermore, the Netherlands use fingerprint recognition for identifying and controlling intake of substances such as methadone (Marohn, 2006). Watch the clip to the right that shows how the UK has implemented fingerprint technology in certain hospital. As you can see, fingerprint recognition is becoming a global standard in identifying patients. |
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Iris Recognition
Although not as popular as fingerprint recognition, Iris recognition is starting to gain popularity due to its high level of accuracy(Shawl, 2013). Iris recognition is non-evasive and can be used for more than patient identification. Some hospitals and healthcare providers use Iris recognition for access control and workforce management in conjunction with patient identification (Biometrics Research Group Inc, 2015). There are currently many solutions on the market for Iris recognition such as Iris ID systems Inc, Iritech Inc, and RightPatient. Watch the video to the right that shows how a certain healthcare organization implemented the biometric system, RightPatient, and how it helped address their priorities in their organization.
In Australia, in conjunction with other biometric systems, Iris recognition is used to identify patients and automatically facilitate treatment by dispensing methadone once the patient has been verified. "The system records dispensing time, and will not release additional doses to the patient until sufficient time has elapsed. The system also generates reports that identify patients who miss their scheduled doses. If patients miss three consecutive appointments, the system can inform an administrator" (Marohn, 2006). |
Figure 2: The use of Iris ID for different purposes (Biometrics Research Group Inc., 2015).
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Hand and Vein Recognition
Hand recognition is another fast growing biometric being integrated into hospitals systems. Although not as popular as fingerprint or iris recognition, hand recognition is being used to identify patients in hospitals due to its low false acceptance rate. (Trader, 2011) In 2007, Carolinas Healthcare System started using palm-vein biometrics to identify patients and streamline patient check-in (Nelson, 2008). Utilizing this type of technology, helped Carolinas Healthcare System to "reduce its duplicate medical records error rate from 2.9 percent to 0.01 percent" (Siwicki, 2016).
The main advantage of hand recognition is due to its non evasive capturing (Nelson, 2008). Many providers prefer hand recognition since its easy for patients to use and doesn't require vast amounts of training compared to other biometric solutions. |
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Challenges and Concerns of Using Biometrics in Healthcare
Healthcare in general is surrounded by many privacy concerns and risk. By adding biometrics to healthcare, it may shift or introduce new challenges and privacy and security concerns when trying to solve other concerns (Zuniga et al., 2009). Some challenges of using biometrics in healthcare include initial cost, training required for all personal (Marohn, 2006), and the security vulnerabilities each type of biometric system introduces discussed in the previous modules.
References:
- American Sentinel University. (2014). Biometrics as a Security Measure in Health Care. Retrieved on July 19, 2016 from http://www.americansentinel.edu/blog/2014/01/08/biometrics-as-a-security-measure-in-health-care-2/
- Biometrics Research Group Inc. (2015). Biometrics and Healthcare. Retrieved on July 18, 2016 from http://www.biometricupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Biometrics-in-Healthcare.pdf
- Dolan, B. (2015). Mobile Health News. Retrieved on July 11, 2016 from http://mobihealthnews.com/46159/global-market-for-healthcare-biometric-authentication-to-generate-250m-in-2015
- Lobosko, K. (2015. Doctors and nurses busted for $712 million Medicare fraud. Retrieved on July 18, 2016 from http://money.cnn.com/2015/06/19/pf/medicare-fraud-doctors/
- Marohn, D. (2006). Biometrics in healthcare. Biometric Technology Today, 14(9), 9-11.
- Nelson, B. (2008). Giving Biometrics a Hand. Retrieved on July 18, 2016 from http://www.nbcnews.com/id/25378726/ns/technology_and_science-innovation/t/giving-biometrics-hand/#.V47WGrgrJhE
- Shawl, D. (Nov, 2013). Biometrics: Implementing into the Healthcare Industry increases security. Retrieved on June 25, 2016 from https://www.davenport.edu/system/files/BIOMETRICS%20%E2%80%93%20Implementing%20Into%20The%20Healthcare%20Industry%20Increases%20Security-DarrellShawl.pdf
- Siwicki, B. (2016). Carolinas HealthCare boosts patient safety with palm-vein biometrics. Retrieved on July 18, 2016 from http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/carolinas-healthcare-boosts-patient-safety-palm-vein-biometrics
- Trader, J. (2011). The Rise Of Palm Vein Biometrics For Patient Identification. Retrieved on July 18, 2016 from http://blog.m2sys.com/health-care/the-rise-of-palm-vein-biometrics-for-patient-identification/
- Zuniga, A., Win, K., & Susilo, W. (2010). Biometrics for electronic health records. Journal of Medical Systems, 34(5), 975-983.