Technology
TRIAD’s founder Brooke Wurst also recognized the importance of aggregating and real-time accessing participant data at a level more granular than what is commonly available in rural, field-based public health and government/NGO operations. Recognizing the unique challenges facing collecting, integrating, and accessing data in rural areas, Brooke created a new technological protocol.
RemoteID℠ is the result of her efforts to increase confidence and participation in otherwise free, confidential HIV testing. RemoteID℠ leverages the security of biometrics and the mobility and accessibility of wireless connectivity.
The patent-pending solution integrates biometric and wireless technologies and proprietary software. It was initially developed to meet the challenging field requirements TRIAD’s education programs engaged in Sub-Saharan Africa. RemoteID℠ makes it easier for local field medical and research staff to capture, securely transmit (via any network technology, including cellular—which is more widely available than wired Internet connectivity in many underdeveloped areas*) and remotely store, aggregate and access confidential information about patients, clients, participants, and respondents.
RemoteID℠ encourages significantly greater participation in TRIAD’s education, treatment and monitoring programs. Because all the captured data is linked by default to unique biometric records and not any personally identifiable information, the cultural and personal concerns about privacy are largely eliminated. Yet the scan makes it possible to longitudinally track/update the data over time to provide both ongoing medical treatment and outcome research and still maintain confidentiality.
*For example: Cellular service reaches >96% of total population in South Africa, >70% in Uganda. Source-World Bank ICT