Authorization and security
Voice activation technology’s great yield will be allowing physicians to perform daily functions primarily via voice commands. Imagine that a provider could ask the device to access a record, then take actions such as referring the patient to another physician or refilling prescription orders. It would be critical to ensure that the person making the request was authorized to access the private record and make associated transactions. Of course, he’d also have to be performing actions using the correct patient file.

Voice biometrics provides the ability to accurately authenticate users. By using the sound, pattern and rhythm of a person’s voice, the technology’s algorithms compare the user’s stored sample with the user’s voice to reject or authenticate use.
Voice password software can also be used to log in and out of devices containing private information. Security requirements are paramount, and must include biometric speaker verification technology. Providers would still need to establish protocols for accessing data via voice if other employees or individuals were present in the room.

There are numerous other considerations specific to the unique health care environment, due to the demands of HIPAA compliance. In its current state, voice activation technology cannot be applied specifically to private patient information, because it cannot adequately protect the data at this point in time. After all, it is difficult to control who might overhear the results.

Unique identifiers
Assuming HIPAA compliance protocols are ultimately met, providers must be certain that they are accessing the intended patient record. As we have seen time and again, patient mix-ups can be the culprit in costly medical errors. Similar-sounding patient names have caused patient misidentification scenarios, which could be even more of a threat if records are accessed via voice command. Mismatches and duplicate records for the same patient also jeopardize the integrity of the record recall process, as well as patient safety.

For a physician to know with certainty that he is accessing the correct record, every patient file needs to be defined in the system by a unique patient identifier – whether it is accessed via voice or in the traditional way. This specific digital identity will link to all past and future care episodes, giving a complete record of a patient’s health for making the best possible treatment decisions.

Health IT Homepage