What Is Palm Scanning?
Palm scanning (or biometrics) is an electronic method of confirming your identity when you check in for your patient appointments that is both fast and secure. To confirm your identity, you will place your hand on a palm scanner.
University of Utah Health is using a technology called Imprivata PatientSecure to make your safety, and the safety of your health information, a priority. PatientSecure uses the latest in biometric technology to help us provide fast and accurate care for you.
Convenience, Speed, Safety—Benefits of Palm Scanning
How Palm Scanning Works
A palm scanner scans the vein pattern of your palm using harmless near-infrared light. Then an algorithm processes your vein pattern and creates an encrypted, protected digital file that we link to your unique medical record.
Why Veins in Your Palm?
Vein patterns in your palm are highly unique to each person. They are as complex as a retinal pattern scan (eye scan), which is the most accurate biometric process currently available. Palm scanning is used across the U.S. for patient identification.
Near-Infrared Light Safety
Near-infrared light is the shortest wavelength of infrared light and harmless. It is the same light as the light of a TV remote control.
Privacy & Law Enforcement
Legal systems and law enforcement do not use palm scanning, so your palm scan cannot be shared with law enforcement. Palm recognition also uses blood flow, which forensic analysis does not use.
We do not share palm scan information with law enforcement or government entities.
HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) also requires that we store your personal health information in a secure location, so no one can access your palm scan data.
How to Enroll
- To enroll, place your hand on the palm vein scanner until your hand is stopped by the finger dividers. The device will take two scans.
- Move your hand forward until the finger dividers stop it.
You are now enrolled!