Pros: Extension HealthID is HIPAA-compliant, AHA-endorsed smart card solution for hospitals and their patients. By combining medical application and microchip-embedded health card, patient care is enhanced. Clinical workflow is more streamlined, resulting in speedier, more accurate patient registrations and patient identification. Insurance information is efficiently maintained. As human input errors are minimized, processing of insurance claims is faster and approval rate is higher. Hospital paperwork and costs related to maintenance of medical records are reduced. The health card is secured by PKI-encryption.

Cons: Extension HealthID is issued to inpatients only. Records can be accessed only via Extension card reader or kiosk; the card cannot be used to access patient information during an emergency that happens outside of hospital (e.g. highway accident). If patients forget their PIN during a hospital visit, data stored in the smart card cannot be unlocked. Patients cannot use the HealthID when they travel to other countries not covered by Extension Health Solution.

The Bottomline: Extension Health ID is a cost-effective health solution designed to enhance patient care and streamline clinical workflow. The card enables storage of and access to an inpatient’s medical information. While it allows for better integration of clinical systems, the Extension HealthID is made available to hospital patients only. Non-patients and those who want to have the freedom to access their health records from anywhere (such as computer or smartphone) should look for PHR solution somewhere else.
Editor’s Rating:

Reviewed on July 20, 2011

Summary:
The Extension HealthID is a smart card program that securely links patient, hospital/ health care providers, and data. The smart card is designed to work efficiently with health systems. It holds both the hospital’s medical application and patient’s health data. Developed by Extension, Inc, the smart card is targeted to benefit the entire health community, from patients to clinicians, CEOs, and medical personnel. The Extension HealthID system has three components: the smart card, the card reader, and built-in medical application.



Features:
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Smart Card
The Extension HealthID smart card looks and works like a credit card. Printed on the surface of the card are the patient’s name, photo, and unique card number.



The HealthID comes with an embedded microprocessor chip that allows the card to hold data and applications. When inserted into a card reader, the PIN-enabled HealthID displays the patient’s stored medical data.

Patient Health Information
The HealthID is not as comprehensive as other PHR tools. Stored health information is limited to patient profile, diagnosis, current medical problems, medications, and allergies.

Card Reader
The Extension card reader or kiosk is specially designed to read and display information stored in the patient’s HealthID. After a patient has successfully entered his/her PIN, the card reader alerts medical staff of patient’s arrival.

Online Interface
This allows hospitals to streamline their operational processes to help patients expedite insurance claims and minimize denied claims.

HL7 Standard
The Extension HealthID solution conforms to Health Level 7 (HL7) standards on exchange, delivery, retrieval, and integration of electronic health information.

Data Security
The HealthID smartcard is protected by PKI encryption and two-level authentication.