Algorithm could improve hospital security

The invention - an algorithm that can be built into a larger piece of software - is designed to control access to information systems and has attracted the attention of a company that is putting it to use in the healthcare field.

John Barkley, the algorithm’s creator, said the idea could solve one of the pervasive issues in the healthcare system.

’We think this software will provide dramatically improved security and privacy to patients,’ added Barkley, now retired from NIST’s Software and Systems Division and consulting with Virtual Global, which is commercialising the product. ’It solves the problem of overly broad access to patient information, which is widespread.’

In essence, the patent covers a method of ensuring that access to information is available to those who need it, but only when necessary. For example, at a hospital, the patient admission procedure involves a number of steps, and in each step someone needs access to the patient’s medical records for a specific purpose, such as registering the patient or verifying their insurance information.