Methods and apparatus for the secure identification of infants and parents in health care institutions

摘要

A parent-infant identification system includes a matched set of three bracelets each bearing matching visual indicia and an electronically readable data button and a data button reading apparatus. Two of the three bracelets are sized to fit adult wrists and the third bracelet is sized to fit an infant wrist or ankle. The matching visual indicia preferably includes a color code. The data buttons each contain electronically readable data which allows the data buttons to be identified with the data button reader. The data button reading apparatus includes an audible signal apparatus for signalling whether or not the data buttons match, and recording apparatus for recording the results of button readings. According to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronically readable data in each data button includes data which identifies whether the button is attached to a parent bracelet or an infant bracelet. The data button on the infant bracelet contains matching data for matching the infant bracelet with the parent bracelets and the matching data is encrypted. The data buttons on the parent bracelets each includes the matching data for matching them with the infant bracelet data button as well as password data needed for reading the encrypted data on the infant data button.