Here are four things to know about Imprivata and it’s scanning device.
1. Imprivata is based in Lexington, Mass. In June, Imprivata officially acquired HT Systems for $19 million. While Imprivata’s focus was providing authentication and access management solutions, HT Systems provided biometric patient identification technology, including the technology for this scanner.
2. The Imprivata device uses “palm vein biometrics,” which scans patients’ hands and uses the unique palm vein pattern to identify individuals. According to the report, such a method is less invasive than a retina scan and less stigmatized than using fingerprints.
3. Omar Hussain, president and CEO of Imprivata, said in the report the palm vein scan is 100 times more accurate than fingerprint biometrics. “Put your palm down and you’re easily identified,” he said. “As patient ID becomes the next big issue, we thought this acquisition [of HT Systems] would position Imprivata to capitalize on great technology.”
4. Imprivata plans to market the palm scanner to hospitals either as self-service kiosks or by patient enrollment and registration.
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