New health care biometrics report cites security as priority moving forward
13 December, 2013
category: Biometrics, Health
Research and Markets has published a new market forecast report detailing the future of biometrics technology in the health care sector.
The new report, entitled “Health care Biometrics Market – Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends And Forecast, 2013 – 2019,” insists that security is a primary concern in the health care, especially as it relates to protecting confidential medical data, records and maintaining patient privacy. To help provide this level of security, the health care industry has turned to the use of biometric devices to analyze and capture an individual’s unique physical features and use them as a template for identification.
As the report explains, the basic components of biometric identification systems include the biometric reader or scanner, software that converts scanned data into digital and a database that stores biometric data for comparison with entered biometric data. The number of biometric modalities has grown significantly to include, amongst others, fingerprint, face, iris, vein, voice, hand and even signature, all of which can be used to conduct biometric authentication.
As Research and Markets points out, however, the improper storage of sensitive medical data can leave a user’s identity subject attack or compromise. Biometric alternatives can help to provision restricted access to rooms as well as computer network systems from unauthorized access.
The paradigm shift toward biometrics in health care is in full effect as facilities the world over are implementing biometric security solutions for patient identification as well as linking data to electronic health records system for the corresponding patients.
As detailed in the report, preserving integrity of patient identity, efficient and safe data recording, control over medical fraud and reduction of inventory theft are all advantages offered by biometrics solutions. Biometrics enables more accurate patient to record matching with minimal errors, which can carry severe consequences for the health and wellbeing of the patient. Additionally, the report cites factors such as false patient identity, patient protection, fraud reduction and increased security of medical records as catalysts for the use of biometrics in the health care industry.
For more on the biometrics in health care report, visit Research and Markets’ website.