Hospital to test ID chip in patients
Annette Wells, Staff Writer

A controversial device that can store security information and is the
size of a grain of rice will make its way into the right arms of some
50 volunteering Arrowhead Regional Medical Center patients.

* More about the chip at www.verichipcorp.com

But, its purpose here won't be to provide bank account or e-mail
passwords to the Colton hospital's staff.

The VeriMed microchip system will be used to store valuable
information such as type of allergies and current medication so
physicians can determine the safest treatment in the event someone 
is unconscious or unable to speak.

On Tuesday, the county Board of Supervisors approved the hospital's
request to take part in a pilot program with the microchip's maker,
VeriChip Corporation, for four months.

The hospital will receive 50 of the devices and, on a voluntary basis,
will implant them into its patients.

Dr. Dev GnanaDev, Arrowhead Regional medical director, said the
program is part of the hospital's push to get appropriate care to
those with chronic ailments such as cardiovascular disease or
diabetes.

Arrowhead Regional's emergency room is often occupied by patients with
a chronic disorder who can't effectively communicate their medical
needs.

For example, GnanaDev said a diabetic might enter the hospital in a
coma, but ER staff might not associate the two because they don't have
access to medical records that quickly.

"In a situation like that, just a few more minutes might make a
difference," he said.

[...]

Full article at "San Bernadino County Sun" 
http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_3243861

Cheers, Steve..

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