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CertaScan System

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CertaScan Frequently Asked Questions

CertaScan benefits:

What are the full benefits that CertaScan provides hospitals?

• Back up to wristband security used in maternity wards
• Precise ID for baby switches in hospital (photos not good enough and DNA cannot differentiate identical twins)
• Precise ID for abductions and found babies and young children (DNA testing takes too long and costs too much)
• Provides for biometric ID in electronic medical records (EMRs)
• More precise, usable, faster and cleaner than ink/inkless processes (to nurses, hospitals, moms)
• Develops biometric ID database for babies for hospitals
• Reduces insurance fraud
• Reduces risk of hospital lawsuits (from incorrect baby ID)
• Enhances hospital security status (vs. non-adoptors)
• Serves as deterrent to potential abductors (another means by which babies can be identified)
• Confirmation of baby’s identification for concerned moms

The CertaScan system:

Why scan the feet of newborns vs. other biometric methods

• The foot print does not change with age, it is just like a finger print. The problem with taking a baby’s finger print is that they tend to clench their hands early on and one has the risk of hurting the infant trying to get the hand open. In addition, the fingers are really small. Iris scans will not work because babies tend to close their eyes often and their iris’ change shape – often until age 2.

What type of technology does CertaScan use?

• It uses LiveScan high resolution image capture technology.

Is the technology safe for babies?

• The scanner uses low voltage imaging technology that is entirely safe.

What does the CertaScan system consist of?

• The CertaScan system consists of hardware, patent pending software and a system for scanning newborn footprints. The system is supported by installation, training and maintenance services provided by the company. Hospitals can also choose to add infant security photos and mom's index fingerprints to the digital records.

Does CertaScan provide footprint keepsakes to moms for free?

• Yes. When a nurse scans a baby’s foot, a copy of the foot print is printed out on an attractive “Baby’s First Foot Print” certificate with the baby’s name, birth date and time, weight and height. The hospital’s logo is also put on the certificate. When mom gets home, she can go to the company's website, www.firstfootprint.com and (1) download and print a copy of the certificate she received at the hospital, (2) download a digital copy of her baby's footprint for safekeeping and (3) customize her newborn's footprint certificate by adding baby's name in a choice of fonts, adding color to the certificate and placing a choice of borders around it.

Is CertaScan HIPAA compliant?

• CertaScan is HIPAA compliant. The company does not have any access to Patient Medical Information. Captured data and images are encrypted to meet the Federal Information Process Standard (FIPS) 140-2 encryption.

Who will have access to the footprint images Certascan takes of newborns?

• When a newborn footprint is taken in a hospital, it is loaded into a fully secure database that can only be retrieved by the hospital where the footprint is taken and by the mother of the newborn. Access to the database requires a password.

Can the digitally scanned footprints be put into electronic medical records (EMRs)?

• The digitally scanned foot print can be loaded by the hospital into the patient’s electronic medical record.

How can a hospital get started with CertaScan?

• The best way to reach CertaScan is by phone (1-800-240-9232), by email (info@certascantek.com) or filling out the form in the Contact Us section of this website.
• Once you contact us, we will schedule a call and/or an in-hospital visit/demo with you and your team to review the CertaScan Infant Safety System.
• Next steps will include information sharing, completing forms (including your standard hospital Business Associate Agreement) and the signing of a service contract.
• As of May 1st, 2017, CertaScan Technologies is now an Approved HealthTrust vendor.

Infant Abductions:

When was the most recent child abduction from a hospital?

• The most recent child abduction from a health care facility in the U.S. occurred on April 23, 2016 in Monroe, Louisiana. Police were called to St. Francis Hospital in response to the reported kidnapping of an infant child. Police say around 7 P.M., a woman identified as 24-year old Anquinisha Cummings, entered a hospital room occupied by a mom and her three day old infant. Police say Cummings told the mother a mutual friend sent her there with a gift, the two talked for a little while, and when the mother got up to use the bathroom, she returned to find the baby gone. Hospital staff, security, and police were notified, and began investigating. Monroe Police worked to locate Cummings, and the baby was found at the home of the suspect's mother in about an hour. Police say the child appeared in good health and unharmed, and afterwards, was reunited with his mom.

How often do newborn abductions take place?

• According to the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), there have been 327 reported cases of abducted infants in the United States from 1965 through June 2019. Forty three percent of these cases have been from healthcare facilities and the rest from mother’s homes and other places. These abductions are wrenching experiences for the parents and child and almost 23% of the time result in violence. Through the great efforts of NCMEC and numerous law enforcement agencies, most of the abducted babies were found. However, the risk of another abduction continues to exist and hospitals and moms must be vigilant and not become complacent. There have been a number of attempted abductions that have occurred in U.S. hospitals and outside the hospital buildings.

What is the typical profile of an infant abductor?

• The NCMEC in the U.S. has a profile it developed by analyzing 327 child abductions from 1964 through October 2019. According to them, it says an infant abductor usually has these characteristics:
  • Usually a female of childbearing age who appears pregnant.
  • Most likely compulsive; most often relies on manipulation, lying and deception.
  • Frequently indicates she has lost a baby or is incapable of having one.
  • Often married or cohabitating; companion’s desire for a baby or the abductor’s desire to provide her companion with “his” baby may be the motivation for the abduction.
  • Usually lives in the community where the abduction takes place.
  • Frequently initially visits nursery and maternity units at more than one health care facility prior to the abduction; asks detailed questions about procedures and the maternity floor layout; frequently uses a fire exit stairwell for her escape; and may also try to abduct from the home setting.
  • Usually plans the abduction, but does not necessarily target a specific infant; frequently seizes any opportunity present to abduct a baby.
  • Frequently impersonates a nurse or other allied health care personnel.
  • Often becomes familiar with health care staff members, staff member work routines and victim parents.
  • Often demonstrates a capability to provide care to the baby once the abduction occurs, within her emotional and physical abilities.
  • Abductions from the home often involve impersonation of a health care or social services worker, and are planned with a weapon involved.

Have footprints been used to identify infants abducted from hospitals?

Methods used to identify infants abducted from hospitals – upon recovery – 1983 to present

SOURCE: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

Current foot printing practices:

How many hospitals capture baby foot prints?

• Sixty five percent (65%) of US hospitals still use ink or inkless paper methods for foot printing infants. Due to its ineffectiveness for identification it devolved into a mere keepsake for parents. The balance of US hospitals have ceased taking footprints. In some states it is the law that hospitals take footprints and in many other states it is highly recommended by hospital associations and the law enforcement community. The CertaScan system is compliant with the latest NCMEC’s Infant Security Guidelines. Furthermore, enhanced compliance is in line with the Joint Commissions’ Patient Identification standard.