The Healthcare ID

In response to HSPD-12, the FIPS 201 (Federal Information Processing Standard Publication 201) was released to standardize the credential that is required for all government employees.  The question is, will guidelines similar to FIPS 201 be required in the healthcare industry?

Bill H.R. 451: Healthcare Truth and Transparency Act of 2011 was introduced into congress on January 26, 2011.  This bill prohibits any individual from misleading or deceptive acts regarding their education, training, degree, license, or clinical expertise.

Prior to issuance of any employee ID badge, that employee should first be vetted to verify their identity.  In addition, it should be verified that they do indeed retain the appropriate license for the job function they will perform, where applicable.  Going a step further, once an employee has their badge, verification should be performed every time that employee reports for duty, to prevent misuse.

In response to the bill introduction, individual states such as Pennsylvania and Colorado have already passed legislation to increase transparency within the healthcare industry.  The legislation contains guidelines stipulating that all healthcare professionals who deliver direct care to consumers must wear an ID badge that contains a recent photo, employee’s name, employee’s title and the name of the employment agency.  Some even stipulate that the expiration date of the license be clearly visible.

Larger medical facilities such as hospitals, medical centers, etc. already have some type of ID card in place that follows this format, at least closely, and may require only minor modifications to become compliant.  However, the passed legislation requires this type of identification for any professional that deals directly with their customers, so it now includes your family doctor.  Those who do not comply may incur fines.

Do you see these standards or something similar being implemented in your organization?  Share your experiences by leaving a comment using the link above or simply email us.

How do RFID and Contactless Smartcards differ?

The confusion between RFID and Contactless Smartcard technology lies in the fact that they both use RF (radio frequency) to communicate between card and reader but differ greatly in the security each technology offers and in their common applications.

Technically, both RFID and Contactless Smartcards are considered RFID (radio frequency identification) because they use radio waves to communicate with a reader and transfer data to identify objects or people. The best way to differentiate RFID from a Contactless Smartcard is by the application.

RFID is a wireless automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) technology that includes tags, antenna or coil electronics programmed with unique information, reader and software.  RFID tags can be either active or passive and are used mainly for supply chain management, due to the greater read range.

Contactless Smart cards are utilized in applications where greater security needs to be achieved such as payment/banking, mass transit, identification and access control.  They contain an IC (integrated chip) and communicate with a reader but afford a higher level of security.  The data can be encrypted to work only with specific readers.  In addition, the read range is limited to four inches.

RFID Enabled Technology Card

Keep in mind, the longer the read range, the more susceptible the radio frequency signal is to interception.  However, depending on the application and the security measures needed, one technology may be better for your needs than the other.  Contact an ID Consultant to discuss your application in greater depth.

Get Students Back to Class Fast!

The 2011/2012 school year has begun and you can make your job easier with our PockeTracker K-12 student accountability solution.  School administrators love PockeTracker K-12 because it makes tardy processing and detention management considerably more efficient and enforces your school policies in a fair manner.

As a result, you can clear hallways fast, correct bad behavior, decrease tardiness and reduce detentions so the focus of your campus can remain on learning.

Imagine automating the behavior management of your students by scanning a barcode on a student ID. Imagine scanning all your tardy students and printing class passes in seconds, not minutes.  Imagine giving positive points to a student for a project well done or good behavior.  Imagine issuing a detention instantly while walking the halls using your handheld PC and printing a pass from your wireless portable printer.

Modular in design, you can start small and expand.  Learn more about all of our Education Solutions here.

Customize your attachments for pennies!

The common perception is that custom ID card holders and attachments are too expensive.  The word “custom” has a negative connotation that is immediately associated with expensive and cumbersome.

But in fact, that is not the case.  You can purchase customized ID card holders and attachments such as lanyards, badge reels, badge holders, etc. for only pennies more!

The perfect medium to convey:

• Corporate Message – Safety is our #1 Goal
• ID Unique Groups – Emergency Staff, Security, VIP
• New Product Launches – Xcom 2 – The Power to Communicate
• Fund-Raising Campaigns – I’m walking to stamp out hunger

Whether your audience is potential clients or your own professional staff, custom attachments solidifies your brand and increases awareness by:

• Projecting consistency throughout your organization
• Matching corporate colors maintaining your brand
• Increases and/or promotes employee awareness or charitable organizations

Custom printing can also be taken into consideration for your visitor management products, payment card sleeves, employee reference material, such as call off cards or important procedures etc.  The limit is only your imagination.

In addition to conveying your brand or passions, they can also add another layer of security since they are unique to you.

IDentiphoto partners with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to facilitate the implementation of their P.R.I.D.E. Initiative.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IDentiphoto partners with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to facilitate the implementation of their P.R.I.D.E. Initiative.

Using mobile and ID technology, CMSD increases security and streamlines processes so the focus can remain on educating students.

Willoughby, OH, (August 2011) IDentiphoto Company, LTD., is pleased to partner with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) on the implementation of its Priority Recognition Increased Data & Efficiency (P.R.I.D.E) initiative.  This program offers CMSD three components for this initiative; student identification badges, visitor management and a student information/discipline management system.

With the start of the 2011-2012 school year, CMSD’s Division of Safety and Security will require students to wear an ID badge at all times during the school day.  This enables school security and staff to quickly identify students who are authorized to be in the building. In addition, the ID incorporates a unique barcode that is utilized for cataloging various activities and transactions such as cafeteria checkout, media center, hallways and processing tardy students.

All visitors entering CMSD schools are required to present a valid driver’s license or state ID that can be scanned and flagged if deemed ‘’high risk’’.  After the check-in process, the visitor will be provided with a photo ID badge that must be worn while on campus.

“The District’s new ID system offers another layer of safety and security for our students and staff,” says Lester Fultz, Chief of Safety and Security for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.  “The PRIDE system provides us with yet another high tech tool to identify students and visitors and to monitor access to our buildings. Our students and staff deserve a safe, secure learning environment,” Fultz continued.

In an effort to make students accountable for their actions, positive or negative, IDentiphoto’s student information and discipline management solution provides CMSD administrators and security personnel the ability to obtain individual student information from anywhere on campus via handheld mobile units.  These handheld units have the ability to access student information immediately by swiping their ID.  This reduces the time and effort spent on discipline.  A process that used to take as long as thirty minutes has now been reduced to less than a minute!

By utilizing ID badges to identify faculty, students and visitors, any individual not displaying a valid ID will stand out and be open to question by CMSD safety and security personnel, greatly increasing the security of their campuses.  In addition, should an incident take place where the building(s) would have to be evacuated, authorized personnel will be able to easily access a report of all individuals on campus including faculty, visitors and students.

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About IDentiphoto Company
In operation for 40 years, IDentiphoto is a Certified Female Business Enterprise and a proud member of Identification Systems Dealers Association (ISDA).  IDentiphoto helps K-12 schools increase efficiencies, enhance security, and minimize costs with automated student/visitor ID badging, mobile tracking and student accountability solutions, system bundles, software, ID supplies, ID cards and badge holders.  IDentiphoto is also an authorized Fargo® repair facility that supports/repairs all Fargo® printer units. For additional information please visit www.IDentiphoto.com.

Contact:

Pamela Johnson, COO
IDentiphoto Company, Ltd.
440.306.9000
pam@IDentiphoto.com

Charisse Ausbrook
Media Specialist
The Cleveland Metropolitan School District
216.574.8143

Increase ID Badge Security at no additional cost to you!

An employee ID badge is more than just a plastic card! It is a security device, a functional tool and an extension of your organization’s image. A color photo on a plain white card is just not enough anymore – it is too easy to duplicate.

What you may not be aware of is that your existing direct-to-card PVC card printer is more powerful than you think.

In an effort to combat counterfeit ID badges, the major ID card printer manufactures including Fargo, Zebra, Magicard and Datacard all have printer models that can incorporate a security feature that is only visible under black light and can be incorporated easily, simply by using a ribbon with a fluorescent panel.

Some Magicard printers offer HoloKote. HoloKote is an anti-copying watermark printed across the entire card surface. When the card is tilted, the HoloKote watermark provides visual authentication. There is no additional cost involved in printing HoloKote cards.

Depending on the model you are using, it may be just a matter of turning on a feature or purchasing a different consumable. The question truly is what is holding you back from producing a more secure ID badge for your employees?

In addition, used dye-sublimation ribbons, such as those used in your direct-to-card printer, retain a viewable image of the printed document. Depending on the sensitive information you print, it is recommended that you dispose of the used ribbon by shredding it.

Explore our learning center for other helpful tips and tricks to ensure the safety of your facility and employees.

Don’t incur additional costs, save your original equipment boxes!

After purchasing new equipment, many of you unpack your direct-to-card PVC printer, label printer etc. and dispose of the box with its custom molded protection without taking into consideration the implication of that action.

We understand that storage of empty boxes can pose a logistics issue but the executive decision you make now can affect your bottom line down the road. Even though we hope the equipment will last forever but due to the nature of the beast, you may find yourself having to one day ship your unit in for service. At that time you are going to need to properly package your printer and what better way to send it but in its original box!

The original box has been made specifically for your unit and will afford it the best protection during its transit, versus packaging peanuts, paper or air bubbles.

If the unit is not packaged properly it can, and frequently is, damaged in shipping. Units damaged in shipping ultimately cause your repair cost to increase due to bent frames or broken covers that have to be replaced. So even though you may not have room please retain the original equipment packaging, just in case.