VeriChip Corporation’s Infant Protection Systems Now Installed in More Than Half of All Birthing Facilities in Ohio

VeriChip Corporation, a provider of RFID systems for healthcare and patient-related needs, announced that the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Xmark, recently completed a sale of an infant protection system in the state of Ohio, where Xmark’s infant protection systems are now installed in more than half of all birthing facilities. This install base features systems sold under the Company’s HUGS brand.

“Our HUGS system, which is the industry standard, continues its sustained growth in maternity wards and birthing centers throughout the U.S.,” said Daniel A. Gunther, President and CEO of Xmark. “The expansion of our install base is critical to our ongoing success. From sales to new hospital customers, replacement systems and upgrades to existing systems, we are pleased to be the provider of choice for infant security systems for the majority of hospitals.”

Xmark’s infant protection systems are designed to prevent infant abductions and inadvertent child mismatching. The main component of the systems is a wearable RFID tag that is assigned to child and mother following birth. Monitors positioned throughout the hospital detect the integrity of the tags and location of the child. If a newborn is removed from the ward, if the tag is lifted from the baby’s skin or if the ankle strap is compromised, the system immediately triggers an alarm, alerting hospital security to the situation.

Xmark infant protection systems also protect against mismatching events by affixing matching RFID tags to mother and child. If the mother is given the wrong child, the RFID tag detects the mismatch and activates an audible alarm.