VeriChip Corporation's VeriMed Patient Identification System in managing the records of Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers will be tested of its effectiveness through the company's partnership with Alzheimer's Community Care, Inc. (West Palm Beach, Florida).

In the two-year, 200 patient study, participating individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, as well as their caregivers, would receive the VeriMed™ implantable microchip to provide Emergency department staff easy access to those patients' identification and medical information.

VeriChip Corporation (Nasdaq: CHIP) is a provider of RFID systems for healthcare and patient-related needs and Alzheimer's disease has been identified by the company to benefit from the VeriMed™ system.

Individuals with the disease or other forms of dementia are often unable to give necessary identifying information or critical medical history upon being admitted to a hospital.

The VeriMed Patient Identification System allows physicians in the emergency room to scan the patient's arm and immediately obtain his or her unique 16-digit identification number.

The physician can then access the VeriMed database and obtain the patient's name and address, caregiver contact information, diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia disorder, name of physician, current medications, and current medical issues.

According to Alzheimer's Community Care, it is important not only to AD patients but also their caregivers to obtain the implantable VeriMed™ in the context that if they become ill, the database will provide medical information that the patient would be unable to provide, as well as inform medical personnel that he or she is the caregiver for someone unable to care for themselves.

Of course, all participants in the study will be voluntary.

Well, that's right folks, implantable chips for Alzheimer's disease patients.

And I thought such things were just in the movies.

Is there a downside to this?

Let's wait and see...

Read the full report for more information.