Combat Patient Identity Theft With Intelligence Solution

By Karla Paris

Touchette Regional Hospital cleans up its EHR system, while protecting its patients’ identity.

Medical identity theft has increased dramatically, becoming the fastest growing form of identity theft. Despite the dangers and high costs associated with this crime, little attention has been given to preventing and reversing the threat. According to the Ponemon Institute, an independent research firm, 1,800,000 Americans were victims of medical identity fraud in 2013, costing more than $12.13 billion in out-of-pocket expenses.

Referenced in a USA Today article, a survey conducted by the security firm ID Experts found that 90 percent of healthcare organizations polled had suffered a data breach during the past two years with 38 percent having had more than five data breaches during that period. Twice this year, the FBI has warned the healthcare industry that it is a prime target of hackers and current industry's security measures are inadequate to meet the existing threat.

While the threat to their financial well-being is at the forefront of patients’ minds, the effect of identity theft on their health is an even greater concern. Scammers regularly steal information to secure healthcare for themselves, purchase drugs under a victim’s information, or submit fraudulent claims to a victim’s insurance company. And the crime can be life-threatening for the target.

 As the first hospital in Illinois to install SafeChx theft protection system, Touchette Regional Hospital is reducing the risk of fraud for its patients.

The four components of the SafeChx identity solution come together within one interface. The SafeChx software works with Touchette Regional Hospital’s electronic health record system and enables hospital staff to efficiently register patients and verify identities. This system updates daily, ensuring patient information is always available and up-to-date.

SafeChx scans Touchette Regional Hospital patient’s finger creating a unique identifier based on the patient’s minutia points. This unique identifier is instantly linked to the patient’s appropriate medical record and benefits so no one else can use them. Taking it a step further, CrossChx employs BaseTen, a process which uses proprietary algorithms built from probabilistic and deterministic markers to identify all of Touchette Regional Hospital’s duplicate medical records ensuring the right person receives the right care.

Touchette Regional Hospital serves the metro-east communities of Alorton, Cahokia, Centreville, East St. Louis, and Washington Park along with the surrounding region. The facility consists of the hospital itself, Southern Illinois Home Care, and Archview Medical Center.

Touchette Regional Hospital offers Cardiopulmonary, Laboratory, Radiology, Physical Therapy, Obstetrical Services, 24 hour Emergency Department, Medical/Surgical, Intensive Care, and Surgical Services.

Southern Illinois Home Care serves St. Clair, Madison, and Monroe counties providing in home services to recovering disabled, chronically ill, or terminally ill persons. Southern Illinois Home Care provides nursing, aide, and physical/occupational therapy services.

SOURCE: Touchette Regional Hospital