How can smart cards improve the healthcare sector?

October 13, 2015
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A central issue of the healthcare industry is quick and efficient access to patient information. Personalised smart cards are an ideal solution.

Smart cards are an excellent and cost-effective approach to employee information. Although you may have to buy an ID printer, both short-term and long-term benefits outweigh the initial cost.

By utilising multi-purpose smart card technology, medical professionals can gain access to a range of information including a person’s identity, insurance data and medical history.

How can smart cards benefit healthcare?

Smart cards have been used within a range of different contexts, and healthcare is no different.

There are a range of benefits to implementing smart cards within the healthcare industry.

A chipped ID card would act as a central locus for all of a patient’s data. In some instances, having all the information close at hand could prove to be a life-saver.

Either through a connection to a cloud-based information system or stored physically, smart cards can house a wealth of information including (but not limited to) patient demographics, allergies, medications, identity verification, medical problems, surgeries and other procedures.

As a human changes over time, so does their demographic and medical information. A smart card’s capacity as a repository for this information is boosted by its flexible design. Information can be changed and updated well after it has been issued.

Further, according to Smart Card Alliance, a smart card can hold 96 per cent more information than older magnetic strip cards.

Is the data safe?

Security is a major issue when it comes to medical records. Unauthorised use is becoming a bigger concern because of the increasing rate of digitisation. However, there are a range of security features that can protect sensitive data from being breached.

One way to stop this is through an authentication process. The use of a personal identification number (PIN), a biometric measurement and the physical ownership of the card all reduce the risk of unsanctioned use.

How hard would it be to implement?

A recent report by the United Sates Government Accountability Office argued that replacing the current paper Medicare cards could be beneficial for the system.

Through the examples of Germany and France, it argued that it would reduce reimbursement errors and improve general record-keeping, while also potentially helping to lower fraud. All these improvements would also save the government, insurance and healthcare providers money.

A personalised smart card ID is a cost-effective and secure way of improving healthcare capabilities. How could ID card solutions help your business?