API Educates HIMSS Audience On Biometrics; Luis Garcia to Present Implications of Biometrics in the Healthcare Environment.

Health/Medical Editors

HIMSS 2003 Annual Conference

HARTFORD, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2003

Automating Peripherals Inc. (API) announced today that Luis Garcia, president and CEO of API, will be presenting an educational session entitled "Biometrics - The Future Is Here Now," at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Annual Conference in San Diego, Calif. This presentation details the pros and cons of numerous biometric technologies that are in use today, including DNA, fingerprints, hand geometry, iris and retinal scans, as well as voice recognition, while examining how applicable each is for the healthcare environment. The presentation is Tuesday, Feb. 11, 8:15-9:30 a.m. in room 27A in the San Diego Convention Center.

Biometrics is big business. Consulting groups predict sales of devices that authenticate or identify persons based on physical characteristics to grow from $63 million in 2000 to $550 million in 2006. Biometrics can be used to protect privacy at the many areas of vulnerability throughout a complex healthcare enterprise. Using biometrics technology, healthcare organizations can improve access control within facilities, patients and clinicians can securely access their medical records over networks to prevent the fragmentation of clinical information. Medical treatment errors caused by confusing one patient with another are reduced, and patient identity is authenticated to make sure that they receive appropriate public and private healthcare benefits. Additionally, biometrics can help healthcare organizations meet HIPAA and JCAHO requirements.

"The MIT Technology Review named biometrics as one of the `top 10 emerging technologies that will change the world'," said Garcia. "While that remains to be seen, it is clear that biometrics can have a significant and positive impact in the healthcare industry. This presentation will share with the industry API's investigation into these technologies, and the applicability of integrating useful biometrics technologies into healthcare applications."

To request a copy of this presentation, please visit the API website at www.api-wi.com/biometrics, or call 262-670-2784.

About API

API is a leading provider of time and attendance, staffing/scheduling, payroll, human resource, education tracking and access control software for healthcare organizations. Founded in 1982, API has more than 350 installations in the United States, with customers ranging in size from 500 employees to more than 30,000 employees. The company has a strategic alliance with Microsoft Corporation and is a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider. The company's Web site address is www.api-wi.com.