Hospital uses Imprivata biometric solution to reduce misidentification

Imprivata, the healthcare IT security company, announced that the Community Hospital Anderson of Indiana has deployed Imprivata PatientSecure, the positive patient identification solution for healthcare. Community Hospital Anderson, which is part of the Community Health Network, a leading healthcare system in Indiana, deployed the PatientSecure solution as part of its efforts to address the patient misidentification crisis.

Imprivata PatientSecure strengthens patient safety by correctly linking each patient to his or her unique electronic medical record, eliminating duplicate patient medical records that can complicate treatment, prevent medical identity theft and insurance card sharing. Imprivata PatientSecure creates a 1:1 link between patients and their unique medical records using biometric identification. Patients utilize biometrics at registration to immediately display their electronic medical record, ensuring secure and efficient delivery of the best possible care.

“At Community Hospital Anderson, we believe that positive patient identification is the foundation of accurate, quality care,” said Beth Tharp, MBA, BSN, RN, President and CEO of Community Hospital Anderson. “Imprivata PatientSecure helps us prevent misidentification and eliminate the safety and financial risks associated with duplicate medical records through a streamlined registration process. When we positively identify our patients, we can proceed with the appropriate care and ensure the safety of our patients.”

According to the 2016 National Patient Misidentification Report from the Ponemon Institute, patient misidentification is costing the average clinician 28.2 minutes in wasted time per shift, with the average healthcare facility losing $17.4 million per year in denied claims and potential lost revenue. Imprivata PatientSecure allows healthcare systems to improve patient safety, quickly identifying patients positively at any point of entry – whether a self-serve kiosk, registration desk or point of care, including non-responsive patients in the ER.

Patient misidentification is costing the average clinician 28.2 minutes in wasted time per shift, with the average healthcare facility losing $17.4 million per year in denied claims and potential lost revenue.

“Leading health systems such as Community Hospital Anderson understand that positive patient identification is a must for quality healthcare, and that a biometric solution eliminates many causes of patient misidentification,” said Dr. Sean Kelly, Chief Medical Officer for Imprivata. “As a practicing physician, it is critical for me to have a complete medical history available in order to provide the most effective care. Patient misidentification happens far too often. Imprivata is advancing patient safety by helping minimize the risk of patient misidentification through our biometric patient identification solution.”

In partnership with Forward Advantage, a long-time strategic partner of Imprivata, Imprivata PatientSecure is now live across all of Community Hospital Anderson, including the Women’s Center, Outpatient Lab, Emergency Department, Trauma Center, Day Surgery Center, and Obstetrics Department.