The LaPorte bio-ID project . . . Airport security . . . the End of Days . . .
I found an article from Modern Healthcare (April 6 1998) that gives some interesting details on the bio-ID pilot in the Indiana hospital . . . the one J. Saf assures us belongs to IDX.
Apparently, this beta test came about because a consultant to the hospital used to be a stenographer in law enforcement and was familiar with NEC's AFIS system. She had the hospital approach NEC for an adaptation of their system. (Sounds minutiae-based, although the article didn't specify.) The hospital accords different levels of access to clerical versus medical staff for the system, dubbed "HealthID." The cost to the hospital is about $100,000. In addition, it will be extended from the two associated physicians' groups now using it to all 13 groups. The cost per group is $6,500. I assume we are dealing with one-finger bio-ID, given the relatively low costs for multiple installations.
Also, a July 29, 1998 report from States News Service (kind of a second-rate AP), says that the Sarasota County (Florida) Detention Center has begun to use iris-recognition bio-ID to ensure that the right prisoners get released. The facility processes about 18,000 inmates a year (and how many during Spring Break?). The system is provided by IriScan, and no dollar figures were announced.
David
PS -- Jean, I don't vouch for 'em, let's put it that way. Some of the links, such as Sen. Robb's speech (on "MARC"), are interesting. |
