University Health Care System Implements RightPatient® Biometric Patient Identification System with Epic EHR
University Officials Cite Seamless Epic Integration, Accuracy, Non-Contact Hygienic Nature of Photo Biometrics, and Focus on Patient Safety as Key Investment Factors
Atlanta, GA (August 16, 2016) RightPatient® announced today that Augusta, GA based University Health Care System has implemented RightPatient® to improve patient safety, data integrity, and revenue cycle by preventing duplicate medical records, fraud, and patient identification errors. University Health carefully evaluated several different biometric patient identification technologies before deciding to deploy Photo Biometrics with RightPatient®, the most accurate, hygienic, and versatile solution available. University Health was pleased with the seamless integration of RightPatient® into their Epic workflows and the unique ability to minimize potential patient registration errors. University patients have welcomed the use of RightPatient® to protect their medical identities, with over 99% choosing to enroll. So far, nearly 50,000 patients have enrolled in the system.
Streamlining patient registration and improving the patient experience was also important to University officials. Using RightPatient®, patients simply take their picture and the platform identifies them, retrieves the correct medical record within Epic, and displays the patient photo for two-factor authentication. Seamless integration of RightPatient® into Epic’s registration system along with an extremely user-friendly interface and a comprehensive analytics platform sealed University’s decision to implement RightPatient® with Photo Biometrics.
“We implemented RightPatient® because photo biometrics is more accurate than fingerprinting or vein mapping and we liked the fact that patients did not have to touch a device to be identified, ensuring a safe, hygienic environment that supports hospital infection control,” said George Ann Phillips, Director of Revenue Cycle Management for University Health. “RightPatient® adds an important layer of protection over Epic EHR data integrity and patients feel very confident that we are taking the right steps to protect their medical identities and ensure a safe care environment.”
Since implementing RightPatient®, University Health has seen a nearly 30% decline in chart corrections among other benefits. The platform is also eliminating write-offs associated with patient fraud. “In one case, a patient had been using different aliases in the ED to obtain prescription medications,” Phillips noted. “RightPatient® was able to immediately detect that this patient had previously enrolled under a different identity. We quickly notified on-site authorities who took the appropriate action.”
“We are grateful for the opportunity to enable the University Health team to implement RightPatient® to increase patient identification accuracy, prevent duplicate medical records, and heighten patient safety,” commented Michael Trader, Co-founder and President of RightPatient®. “Patient misidentification in healthcare can lead to incorrect medication distribution, duplicate diagnostic tests, and adverse health effects, jeopardizing patient safety and adding unnecessary costs. In addition, RightPatient® protects patients from identity theft, which severely affects quality of care and healthcare costs.”
About RightPatient®
RightPatient® is the industry’s most flexible and scalable patient recognition platform. The cloud-based solution is utilized by hospitals and health systems that collectively see over 38 million patients annually and represent more than 900 healthcare locations. These forward-thinking providers process thousands of daily transactions through RightPatient® to prevent duplicate medical records, deter fraud, and increase patient safety. Interfaces already exist for various EHR systems, including Epic, Cerner, McKesson, Siemens, Meditech, CPSI and more. Backed by 14 years of experience in biometrics, cloud-computing, integration, and large-scale projects, we are dedicated to innovation and helping to achieve the “Triple Aim” by accurately recognizing patients from every encounter end point.
Contact:
RightPatient®
John Trader
VP of Communications
jtrader@rightpatient.com
410-491-5354
About University Health, Inc.
University Health Care System is anchored by the 581-bed, not-for-profit University Hospital, founded in 1818. The main campus has expanded to include the Heart & Vascular Institute, an Outpatient Center and office buildings that house more than 600 private practice and employed physicians, and various treatment centers. University has the largest primary care and prompt care network in the region and also includes University Hospital McDuffie in Thomson, Ga., as well as numerous medical campuses in two states, Brandon Wilde Continuing Care Retirement Community and three extended care facilities. University is the only hospital in the region to have earned Magnet designation for nursing excellence, and has been named the National Research Corporation Consumer Choice Award winner for overall quality and image every year since 1999.
Contact:
University Health System
Rebecca Sylvester
Director of Strategic Marketing and Promotions
rsylvester@uh.org
706-828-2394
