What You Should Know
- The Launch: Imprivata, the digital identity company, has officially launched its Patient Access solution within Epic Toolbox. This means it is now a native, vetted integration for hospitals using the Epic EHR.
- The Tech: The tool uses facial recognition and high-assurance identity verification (IAL2 standards) to let patients create MyChart accounts securely from home, without needing a code or a phone call.
- The Goal: By matching a patient’s face to their existing medical record photo, hospitals can reduce duplicate records—a primary cause of denied claims and medical errors—while supporting the CMS “Kill the Clipboard” initiative.
The “Self-Service” Gatekeeper
The friction in digital health usually happens at the front door. Patients struggle to sign up for patient portals because verifying their identity remotely is hard. They often need an activation code from a previous visit or help desk support.
Imprivata’s solution automates this using IAL2 standards (Identity Assurance Level 2)—the same rigorous standard used by government agencies.
- The Process: A patient scans their face using their smartphone.
- The Match: The system compares the scan to their government ID or existing photo in the Epic EHR.
- The Result: Instant, secure access to MyChart without a help desk ticket.
When a registration desk is busy, it is easy to accidentally create a new record for an existing patient. By using facial biometrics at check-in (both digital and in-person), the system ensures the patient is matched to the right chart every time. This aligns with the CMS “Kill the Clipboard” initiative, which aims to eliminate the repetitive manual forms that plague the waiting room.
“Healthcare organizations are under increasing pressure to expand digital access and patient engagement without compromising trust or security,” said Dr. Sean Kelly, Chief Medical Officer at Imprivata. “Imprivata Patient Access helps address this challenge by reducing identity uncertainty across the care journey. Making this offering readily available within MyChart and other workflows allows organizations to improve patient safety and security while reducing the costs associated with misidentification, duplicate records, and denied claims.”
