International. Hospitals have begun to implement biometrics as a way to verify, authenticate, and maintain the security of their patients' medical records.
Although finger and palm prints are common methods of capturing biometric data, iris scans may be the best solution for this industry, according to Becker's Hospital Review.
Some hospitals have begun to implement iris scanning because it is as unique an identifier as finger or palm prints. Patients do not have to touch any equipment, which would be a cause for concern in a hospital environment as they would have to disinfect their hands after fingerprint readings in order to prevent the spread of germs.
Although the cost of these systems and patients' privacy concerns are matters to consider in the implementation of iris scanning systems, hospitals also need to assess the type of verification to be implemented, as biometric readings alone cannot provide enough information to be reliable.
