N.J. hospital invests in patient matching technology

In an effort to solve challenges in patient matching, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, based in New Brunswick, N.J., signed a three-year agreement with Malta Systems for use of its patient health identity solution, Privasent.

Saint Peter’s piloted the technology in 2013 and demonstrated that it eliminated identity errors, ensured accurate matching of EHRs and was embraced by its patients as a means to protect their privacy and health identity. The patent-pending solution combines smart card, biometric and security technologies to produce a unique, absolute and interoperable identify that can scale to a national patient identifier, according to a release.

This unique identity only works in healthcare settings. Patients registered in the Privasent network receive a card that captures a palm vein pattern. Each time a patient checks in for care, Privasent validates their identity and the EHR associated with the identity.

Also, caregivers can search Privasent to identify other EHRs associated with this identity throughout Privasent’s network of providers.