Smart Card Alliance Creates Healthcare Council

July 1, 2005
Council to address issues of patient record privacy, access control in healthcare settings

The Smart Card Alliance, the chief industry association promoting the adoption of smart card technolgoes, has recognized the possibilities of smart cards in hospitals and formed a Healthcare Council.

The new council, which will be focused on HIPAA issues of securing patient data and improving the quality of care, will be co-chaired by Dr. Paul Davis, the CEO of Uniliance Health, and Frank Avignone, the business development manager for Healthmeans.

In a statement on Wednesday, Davis said the council will be looking at ways smart cards are currently being used in hospitals. A key initiative of the new council will be to create best practices guides to using smart cards in the healthcare setting.

"There are numerous initiatives around the world using smart cards for a variety of secure healthcare applications," said Davis in a prepared statement. "One of the group's initial projects will be to examine current implementations and describe the benefits and best practices for smart card deployment in various healthcare environments."

The council will be directed by members from both the healthcare and smart card industries, including these current members:

  • David Asay, IBM
  • Frank Avignone, Healthmeans - Council co-chair
  • Linda Brown, Infineon Technologies
  • Michael Cariou, Oberthur Card Systems
  • Bob Coogan, Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation
  • Paul Davis, Uniliance Health - Council co-chair
  • Jeffrey Ross, Gemplus
  • Greg Thornton, Competech Smart Card Solutions
  • Terry Zagar, Northrop Grumman

The Smart Card Alliance has other markets-focused councils, including councils on transportation, as well as physical security.