The VeriChip

Presented by Allyson Medina, RN

Objectives Describe VeriChipDescribe VeriChip Describe and evaluate the hardware and software Describe and evaluate the hardware and software

utilized with VeriChiputilized with VeriChip Describe and evaluate the information system Describe and evaluate the information system

used with VeriChipused with VeriChip List the advantages and disadvantages of VeriChipList the advantages and disadvantages of VeriChip Evaluate the ethical and legal issues related to Evaluate the ethical and legal issues related to

VeriChip VeriChip Explain the informatics competencies required by Explain the informatics competencies required by

any professional nurse working with this trend any professional nurse working with this trend Describe the functions and responsibilities of a Describe the functions and responsibilities of a

informatics nurse (IN) and/or the informatics nurse informatics nurse (IN) and/or the informatics nurse specialist (INS) when working with this trend specialist (INS) when working with this trend

Summarize VeriChip Summarize VeriChip

Description

VeriChip is an implantable universal means of identificationVeriChip is an implantable universal means of identification Classified as a radio frequency identification device (RFID)Classified as a radio frequency identification device (RFID) Utilizes radio waves to transmit information wirelesslyUtilizes radio waves to transmit information wirelessly Implanted into the subcutaneous tissue of humans between the Implanted into the subcutaneous tissue of humans between the

antecubital fossa and shoulderantecubital fossa and shoulder When device is activated by VeriChip scanner, emits a 16-digit When device is activated by VeriChip scanner, emits a 16-digit

corresponding number corresponding number Approved for use by FDA in 2004Approved for use by FDA in 2004

(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2004)(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2004)

Description Continued Uses a portable handheld Uses a portable handheld

device to read one’s unique device to read one’s unique codecode

Code is then entered into a Code is then entered into a secure database that has secure database that has correlating healthcare datacorrelating healthcare data

Stored data can contain any Stored data can contain any information, but examples are information, but examples are as follows:as follows:

DiabeticBlood disorder/type

History of seizures

Kidney failure

Cardiac history

Age/Name/AddressReligion

Organ Donor

Emergency Contact

InformationDNR

Description Continued VeriChip is comparable to the size of a rice VeriChip is comparable to the size of a rice

kernel kernel

VeriChip is easily implantable in a doctor’s VeriChip is easily implantable in a doctor’s office with a local anesthetic office with a local anesthetic

Used for other identification purposes Used for other identification purposes worldwide (employee ID, payment, etc.)worldwide (employee ID, payment, etc.)

Various employers in the U.S. have required Various employers in the U.S. have required this implantation for improved securitythis implantation for improved security

In 2007, 222 people had this device implanted In 2007, 222 people had this device implanted &&

In 2008, the number is estimated around 300In 2008, the number is estimated around 300 (Electronic Privacy Information Center, 2004)(Electronic Privacy Information Center, 2004)

Evaluation of the Hardware Utilized for VeriChip The Hardware for VeriChip The Hardware for VeriChip

consists of two items:consists of two items: 1.1. An Implanted ID chipAn Implanted ID chip

Tissue Bonding CapTissue Bonding Cap AntennaAntenna ID ChipID Chip

2.2. A Scanning deviceA Scanning device

Evaluation of the Software Utilized for VeriChip Utilizes a secure online Global Utilizes a secure online Global

VeriChip Subscriber (GVS) RegistryVeriChip Subscriber (GVS) Registry

- Approximately 21 trillion different - Approximately 21 trillion different combinations of 16-digit codes can be combinations of 16-digit codes can be stored within databasestored within database

(20,922,789,888,000, to be exact)(20,922,789,888,000, to be exact)

Security MeasuresSecurity Measures-- chip readers only issued to healthcare chip readers only issued to healthcare providersproviders- need username/password & 16-digit ID - need username/password & 16-digit ID

VeriMed Software VeriMed Software (VeriMed Patient Identification - FAQ, 2009(VeriMed Patient Identification - FAQ, 2009))

Usability is highUsability is high

Easy to use & Easy to learnEasy to use & Easy to learn

Drawback: Efficiency of use r/t lack of use

All software/hardware given to Emergency Departments for FREE!All software/hardware given to Emergency Departments for FREE!

(VeriMed Patient Identification – Testimonials, 2009)(VeriMed Patient Identification – Testimonials, 2009)

Evaluation of the Information System Utilized for VeriChip

VeriChip is a Clinical Information SystemVeriChip is a Clinical Information System Users include only physicians and nursesUsers include only physicians and nurses NOT considered a nursing information systemNOT considered a nursing information system This IS allows users to access necessary healthcare This IS allows users to access necessary healthcare

data data Accessed via any minicomputer with specialty Accessed via any minicomputer with specialty

software and passwordssoftware and passwords The Data standards used by VeriChip is the American The Data standards used by VeriChip is the American

National Standards Institute (ANSI) (RFID News, National Standards Institute (ANSI) (RFID News, 2009)2009)

- ANSI certified VeriChip for their openness, balance, - ANSI certified VeriChip for their openness, balance, consensus and due process (ANSI, 2008)consensus and due process (ANSI, 2008)

Advantages and Disadvantages of VeriChip

AdvantagesAdvantages

Easily implantableEasily implantable

Information is easily Information is easily

assessable in an emergency assessable in an emergency

with access to a chip readerwith access to a chip reader

Information stored on Information stored on

VeriChip can help save your VeriChip can help save your

lifelife

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Skin/tissue reactionsSkin/tissue reactions

Increased risk of lethal Increased risk of lethal

cancerscancers

Possible dislodgement of chip Possible dislodgement of chip

Potential leak of personal Potential leak of personal

informationinformation

Not all hospitals have the Not all hospitals have the

necessary technologynecessary technology

Ethical and Legal Issues

Europe is using VeriChip as a form of ID for clubbing and Europe is using VeriChip as a form of ID for clubbing and shopping shopping (Prison Planet, 2004) (Prison Planet, 2004)

In America, many people view VeriChip as a form of brandingIn America, many people view VeriChip as a form of branding

Will this lead to a loss of civil liberties? Will this lead to a loss of civil liberties?

Extremists believe VeriChip marks the end of the world for the Extremists believe VeriChip marks the end of the world for the human racehuman race

Legally, the data from an implantable VeriChip can be accessed Legally, the data from an implantable VeriChip can be accessed by:by:

Medical Professionals Medical Professionals ONLYONLYA record is made every time someone logs on and A record is made every time someone logs on and

accesses a subscriber's record and CAN be tracedaccesses a subscriber's record and CAN be traced

The informatics competencies required by any professional nurse

working with this trendUse of simplistic software to enter a 16-digit code and passwordUse of simplistic software to enter a 16-digit code and password

Functions and responsibilities of informatics nurse (IN) and/or the

informatics nurse specialist (INS) when working with this trend

Be able to identify patients with a VeriChip implantationBe able to identify patients with a VeriChip implantation Ensure your ER has this technology – It’s FREE! Ensure your ER has this technology – It’s FREE! Scan the chip with reader and enter number into secure Scan the chip with reader and enter number into secure

databasedatabase

REMEMBER: REMEMBER: HIPAA and Privacy Laws apply to ALL patients HIPAA and Privacy Laws apply to ALL patients

(with and without VeriChips) (with and without VeriChips)

In Summary

VeriChip is new technologyVeriChip is new technology In an emergency, it speaks for those who In an emergency, it speaks for those who

can’t speak for themselves can’t speak for themselves There is a direct link to terminal cancers There is a direct link to terminal cancers

with VeriChip’s usewith VeriChip’s use

After much research into this new After much research into this new technological trend, I believe this is the technological trend, I believe this is the start to something bigger, but it should be start to something bigger, but it should be perfected more before implantation into perfected more before implantation into healthy individuals.healthy individuals.

References Electronic Privacy Information Center (2004, March 15). VeriChip. Electronic Privacy Information Center (2004, March 15). VeriChip.

     Retrieved February 7, 2010     Retrieved February 7, 2010

          http://epic.org/privacy/rfid/verichip.html

American National Standards Institute (2008). Introduction to ANSI.American National Standards Institute (2008). Introduction to ANSI.

Retrieved March 26, 2010 Retrieved March 26, 2010

http://www.ansi.org/about_ansi/introduction/introduction.aspx?menuid=1 http://www.ansi.org/about_ansi/introduction/introduction.aspx?menuid=1

Prison Planet (2004, April 7). Baja Beach Club in Barcelona, Spain Launches Prison Planet (2004, April 7). Baja Beach Club in Barcelona, Spain Launches Microchip Implantation for VIP Members.Microchip Implantation for VIP Members.

Retrieved April 15, 2010 Retrieved April 15, 2010

http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/april2004/040704bajabeachclub.htmhttp://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/april2004/040704bajabeachclub.htm

RFID News (2009) ANSI Approves new standard for RFID in Healthcare.RFID News (2009) ANSI Approves new standard for RFID in Healthcare.

Retrieved February 7, 2010 Retrieved February 7, 2010

http://www.rfidnews.org/2009/08/03/ansi-approves-news-standard-for- http://www.rfidnews.org/2009/08/03/ansi-approves-news-standard-for-rfid-in-healthcarerfid-in-healthcare

References Continued U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2004). Evaluation of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2004). Evaluation of

Automatic Class III Designation VeriChip (TM) Health Information Automatic Class III Designation VeriChip (TM) Health Information

Microtransponder System. (Regulation Number: 21 CFR 880.6300). Microtransponder System. (Regulation Number: 21 CFR 880.6300).

Washington, DC.Washington, DC.

Retrieved February 7, 2010 Retrieved February 7, 2010

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/924642/000106880004000587/ex99p2http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/924642/000106880004000587/ex99p2

.txt.txt

VeriMed Patient Identification (2009). Intro to VeriMed FAQ.VeriMed Patient Identification (2009). Intro to VeriMed FAQ.

Retrieved February 21, 2010 Retrieved February 21, 2010

http://www.verimedinfo.com/faq.asp http://www.verimedinfo.com/faq.asp

VeriMed Patient Identification (2009). Testimonials.VeriMed Patient Identification (2009). Testimonials.

Retrieved February 21, 2010 Retrieved February 21, 2010

http://www.verimedinfo.com/testimonials.asp http://www.verimedinfo.com/testimonials.asp