Hospitals of Community Healthcare System Change Registration Procedures to Include Photo I.D.

chs-stockFor patient privacy and safety, the registration staff at Community Healthcare System hospitals (Community Hospital in Munster, St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart) will be asking to take patient photos.

“Your photo will become part of our Electronic Medical Record for internal identification purposes,” explains Karen Schneider, Community Healthcare System Regional Director of Patient Financial Services.

“This change in procedures upon check-in will help us better protect your privacy and insurance benefits; improve your experience by helping us connect your face with your name and provide us with another option for identification (besides date of birth) in giving care,” said Schneider.

Registration staff will begin taking patient photos at the check-in desks of both the inpatient and outpatient departments at Community Hospital in Munster, St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart beginning Wednesday, September 16. Effective Wednesday, September 30, photos also will be taken during registration at all hospital outpatient sites.

Within the next few months, patients will be asked to have a photo taken during registration at the hospitals’ Emergency departments and Community Care Network physician offices.

Each patient photo on file will be updated every two years.

For more information about the hospitals of Community Healthcare System, visit comhs.org.