SCM Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCMM; Prime Standard, SMY), a leading provider of solutions that open the Digital World, today announced that its eHeatlh500 mobile terminal is one of the first upgradeable mobile devices to receive the required certification for use with the new eHealth cards in stage 2 of the introduction of the electronic health card in Germany. "With the certification of our mobile terminal, we pave the way for an efficient implementation of the electronic health card throughout Germany," said Dietmar Wendling, vice president e-Government of SCM Microsystems. "Our mobile terminal extends support for the country's new eHealth cards to all patients, not just those who are in a doctor's office or hospital. With our technology-leading mobile and stationary terminals, SCM offers the strongest solutions for healthcare providers as the eHealth program is implemented across all regions of the country."
The certification for SCMs eHealth500 mobile reader comes from gematik (Gesellschaft für Telematikanwendungen der Gesundheitskarte), the German healthcare organization overseeing the implementation of the country's eHealth program. SCM had previously received gematik certification for its eHealth200 BCS stationary terminals in September 2008.
The eHealth500 mobile terminal can be used by doctors and other healthcare providers to read and temporarily store data on the new German electronic health card (eGK) and the traditional health insurance card (KVK) when away from their medical practice, such as during home visits, in nursing homes and retirement homes. Back in the medical office or hospital, the data can be transferred via a USB interface to the doctors, pharmacists or hospitals network for permanent archival. Local network storage of patient data is the goal of the first stage of the German eHealth program. In a second stage, a secure country-wide network will be established, so that data can be appropriately shared among and between medical providers and health insurance companies and agencies.
The eHealth500 mobile terminal fulfils the strict security requirements of the German National Security Agency BSI (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnologie). It also enables firmware upgrades to accommodate future updates, which ensures that the terminals will be able to continue to comply with evolving requirements throughout all stages of the German eHealth program. This protects the investment of doctors and other healthcare providers, whose initial purchase of the terminals will also be subsidized by the German health insurance industry. Once the firmware of the mobile terminals has been updated during the planned second phase of the German eHealth program, the terminal will have the capability of not only reading electronic health cards, but also processing health professional cards (HPC) used to authenticate healthcare providers and secure module cards (SMC) utilized for secure data communication. Hence, the terminal can be used as both a mobile and as stationary terminal.
The compact, convenient and pocket calculator-sized terminal has a powerful processor to rapidly access and update data under the complex requirements of the electronic health card. The availability of secure firmware updates allows the highest flexibility and adaptability. The large, high-contrast graphical display shows all relevant patient data as well as device information such as battery status and free storage space. The eHealth500 is easy, intuitive and user configurable. The terminal employs an environment-friendly battery with an automatic charging function to assure continuous availability. It can store up to 200 patient records, and all device settings or patient records are stored in memory, even if the batteries are fully discharged.
eHealth Terminals from SCM Microsystems
The implementation of an electronic health insurance card for 82 million people in Germany is one of the world's largest IT projects. For the last two years, SCM has continued to work closely with health card providers, the gematik and the BSI to develop, improve and adapt its eHealth terminals to the requirements of the German electronic healthcard program. The company has played a leading role in helping to define specifications for the eHealth terminals that will be installed in doctors' offices, pharmacies and other health provider facilities. SCM was also the first to equip doctors' practices in the initial test regions of the program and today its stationary terminals are included in the first phase of the programs wider deployment throughout Germany. The eHealth500 mobile terminal complements SCM's stationary eHealth terminal with capabilities that allow health providers to read and process data of the electronic health card and the health insurance card while away from their practices.
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- eHealth Terminal from SCM Microsystems Approved for German eHealth Card Program
- eHealth Card Terminal from SCM Microsystems Receives GEMATIK Certification
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About SCM Microsystems, Inc.
SCM Microsystems is a leading provider of solutions that open the Digital World by enabling people to conveniently access digital content and services at home and in the marketplace. The company develops, markets and sells the industry's broadest range of smart card reader technology for secure authentication of individuals by computers, networks and facilities. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Hirsch Electronics, SCM is a leader in IP-based physical access solutions that integrate databases, devices, alarm systems and surveillance systems. The company's customers include OEMs, governments and enterprises worldwide. U.S. headquarters are in Fremont, California; global headquarters are in Ismaning, Germany. For additional information, visit the SCM Microsystems website at www.scmmicro.com.