Florida Hospital's new biometric identification improves security and efficiency

VOLUSIA AND FLAGLER COUNTIES, Fla., July 29, 2016 The Florida Hospitals in Volusia and Flagler counties, which composes the Florida Hospital East Florida Region, will soon all utilize new technology to reduce paperwork, improve accuracy and prevent identity theft. In July, Florida Hospital Fish Memorial in Orange City and Florida Hospital DeLand in DeLand began using a device that images veins in the hand called PatientSecure to register and identify patients. In August, this technology will launch at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in Daytona Beach and Florida Hospital Flagler in Palm Coast. Florida Hospital New Smyrna in New Smyrna Beach will add this new technology in May 2017. The PatientSecure device uses infrared light to painlessly scan the palm, then links the unique biometric trait to each patients electronic health record. PatientSecure provides a safe, secure, confidential, and easy way for our patients to register for care. It not only protects privacy and improves convenience, but it also enhances record accuracy by preventing duplications, said Rob Fulbright, CEO of the Florida Hospital East Florida Region. The advanced technology of PatientSecure streamlines the registration process by automatically pulling up a patients unique medical record. In addition, PatientSecure provides added protection from medical identity theft because patients no longer need to share personal identifying information. This technology is good news for our patients, as it adds yet another layer of protection to their medical identities, while also reducing the amount of paperwork they need to fill out, said Fulbright. The palm scan creates a unique digital signature which is especially helpful for patients during return visits, as a simple scan of the palm will securely access their registration and insurance information, as well as link them to their medical record. In addition, if a patient without identification arrives at Florida Hospital unconscious or unable to communicate, PatientSecure can be a lifesaving tool that quickly identifies the individual, opens their electronic health record, and alerts medical professionals to crucial information, including medical history, allergies and current medications. About Florida Hospital East Florida Region A member of Adventist Health System, Florida Hospitals mission is to extend the healing ministry of Christ. Encompassing six Florida Hospitals in Volusia and Flagler counties, the Florida Hospital East Florida Region is the largest hospital system in the area, with 907 beds and more than 6,000 employees. The Florida Hospital East Florida Region includes Florida Hospital DeLand in DeLand, Florida Hospital Fish Memorial in Orange City, Florida Hospital Flagler in Palm Coast, Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in Daytona Beach, and Florida Hospital Oceanside in Ormond Beach. In April 2016, the sixth facility was added to the Florida Hospital East Florida Region family: Florida Hospital New Smyrna (formerly Bert Fish Medical Center) in New Smyrna Beach.