AIIMS in New Delhi launches pilot programme for facial recognition-based access control and visitor management system

All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi has embarked on a pilot experiment in Mother & Child Block with a sophisticated facial recognition-based access control system and visitor management system.

The initiative is a result of increased emphasis on security and adherence to the visiting hours especially in critical places like the Operating Theatre and the ICU.

There are great dangers that the unrestricted admission policy places on the patients as there are increased  chances of hospital acquired infections and also there is the problem of access to clinical areas for unauthorised persons, particularly at night, says the statement issued by the hospital on Thursday.

In this context that Dr. (Prof.) M. Srinivas, Director, AIIMS, New Delhi, believes that it is desirable to improve the protection of the staff, students, patients and all visitors to the wards and outpatient clinics after the recent tragedy at RG Kar Hospital. The preventive approach can mitigate unauthorised access to patients, diagnostic labs and facilities, office and research areas by employing the facial recognition software.

Key Features of the Pilot Programme:

- Automated Access Control: The FR-ACS will utilise facial recognition-controlled flap barriers to strictly regulate entry into restricted areas.

- Patient Enrolment: All patients, except for emergency or critical cases, will be enrolled in the FR-ACS upon admission, linking their authorisation to their Unique Health Identification Number (UHID). Access rights will be automatically revoked at discharge.

- Digital Visitor Management: The VMS will enable visitors to authenticate their identity via the FR-ACS and register through a dedicated app. This system will allow them to share secure visitation invites that grant access to specific areas based on their visit’s purpose.

- Unique Visitor Codes (UVC): Visitors will register using a valid government-issued ID and their facial identity, which will generate a UVC to facilitate seamless entry, provided they have a valid invite.

- Support for All Visitors: To assist those less familiar with technology, staffed facilitation terminals will be available at various entry points and in-patient areas.