BIOMETRIC AUTHENTICATION SYSTEMS FOR SECURING ELECTRONIC MEDICAL/HEALTH RECORDS (BMR/EHRS) IN NIGERIAN HOSPITALS
Abstract
This study examined biometric authentication systems for securing electronic medical and health records in Nigerian tertiary hospitals. The increasing adoption of electronic health records has improved healthcare information management, but it has also heightened concerns regarding unauthorized access, data breaches, and patient privacy. The study specifically investigated the extent of utilization of biometric authentication systems, their effectiveness in preventing unauthorized access, the challenges affecting implementation, and the relationship between biometric authentication adoption and electronic health record security. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected from 240 healthcare professionals, health information managers, information technology personnel, and hospital administrators selected from Nigerian tertiary hospitals using a structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The findings revealed that biometric authentication systems are utilized to a considerable extent in Nigerian hospitals with a grand mean of 3.83. The study further found that biometric authentication systems are highly effective in preventing unauthorized access to patient medical records with a grand mean of 3.99. The results also identified several implementation challenges including poor electricity supply, inadequate funding, high implementation costs, limited technical expertise, and resistance to change among staff, with a grand mean of 3.99. In addition, the study established a strong positive relationship between biometric authentication adoption and electronic health record security, recording the highest grand mean of 4.07. The study concluded that biometric authentication systems significantly enhance electronic health record security and recommended increased investment, improved infrastructure, staff training, and wider deployment across healthcare institutions.