In 2004 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the VeriChip, a RFID tag that can be implanted, for use in the medical field. The VeriChip is the size of a grain of rice, which can be placed under the skin of a patient. The chip contains a 16 digit identification number that can be scanned and then granted access to information. The VeriChip comes in 3 different forms including; being implanted, worn, or attached.
VeriChip’s most unique technology, he implanted chips, was designed so healthcare professionals could easily access patients electronic medical records. This design was made for individuals with chronic illnesses that visit medical offices frequently. In July of 2006, the VeriMed technology was selected for a two-year pilot program at Hackensack University Medical Center, in Hackensack, New Jersey. VeriMed teamed up with insurance provider Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield to insure imbedding patients, so emergency staff could acquire medical information more easily.
The wearable VeriChip’s is for the protection of vulnerable patients, such as infants and the elderly. The VeriChip’s are even used to match up mother and infant to protect the family. That way the family has more control of who is interacting with their baby and the risk of infant abduction is reduced.
The Verichip’s are also attached to medical equipment to keep track of its whereabouts in the hospitals. By attaching a chip to a wheelchair or other mobile monitoring devices, keeping track of inventory and equipment locations becomes easier, thus allowing doctors and the medical staff more time with patients and patient care.
VeriChip’s most unique technology, he implanted chips, was designed so healthcare professionals could easily access patients electronic medical records. This design was made for individuals with chronic illnesses that visit medical offices frequently. In July of 2006, the VeriMed technology was selected for a two-year pilot program at Hackensack University Medical Center, in Hackensack, New Jersey. VeriMed teamed up with insurance provider Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield to insure imbedding patients, so emergency staff could acquire medical information more easily.
The wearable VeriChip’s is for the protection of vulnerable patients, such as infants and the elderly. The VeriChip’s are even used to match up mother and infant to protect the family. That way the family has more control of who is interacting with their baby and the risk of infant abduction is reduced.
The Verichip’s are also attached to medical equipment to keep track of its whereabouts in the hospitals. By attaching a chip to a wheelchair or other mobile monitoring devices, keeping track of inventory and equipment locations becomes easier, thus allowing doctors and the medical staff more time with patients and patient care.
I wonder about the access and who can see the information? While I like the convince of having my medical records "with me" I want to know who and how they can be accessed. The way the chips work in dogs if that it has a unique # that is linked to data. If this is the same for people then it is not that secure. I have seen applications for IR equipped PDA's that can read the dog chip!
ReplyDeleteWow! I cannot believe the technology and applications of technology that are being used today. You mention that the RFID chips imbedded into skin are primarily used in patients that visit hospitals regularly, but one can only imagine the ways these chips could be used. As we have learned in some of our reading, RFID chips can be used in place of bar codes and scanners to keep track of inventory and the sale of goods. For example, Wal-Mart already uses them in some of their stores. RFID tags have allowed users much more efficiency and convenience, but there are also applications of these tags that have the potential negative consequences. Some people wonder if the government will require newborns to have RFID tags implanted in order for the government to keep information stored about the individual. Information that would otherwise be kept private could become known to anyone who accesses the tag. Technology that surpasses the RFID tag will no doubt become available soon also. Hopefully the use of Identification Tags are kept under control.
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