The article Molly Merrill wrote on this matter (Hacker says he stole confidential medical data on 8 millionn Virginia residents – May 7) is further evidence that using archaic methods of identifying people and authenticating access rights to information is pointless, and a failure.

By archaic I mean: “the use of an assigned unique identification number to identify people” and using “passwords” to grant access to personal information.  With current knowledge and technology it’s far too easy for thieves, crooks, and other low-down types to steal this information and make us all suffer the consequences.

 I believe the best long term solution is to use biometrics as a method of identifying and granting access to personal information (on all fronts, not just healthcare).  Biometrics can be a controversial matter to some, but it offers a permanent solution to the vulnerability of information today. 

Using biometric identifiers, like fingerprints, voice recognition, and others is far more accurate and likely to give healthcare providers assurance that they are using the right information for the right person. 

But, equally as important, it is more likely to keep personal information out of the hands of crooks (if only making it much more difficult to hack into in the first place).

 Even though we’re all working toward getting EHR’s implemented, perhaps the next wave of IT application in the healthcare industry should be using biometrics to accurately identify patients and safeguard personal information.

–  Mike Matull,  Principal consultant,
Matull and @ssociates
 mmatull@verizon.net