RFID technology harnesses radio waves for tracking and identifying the location of equipment/objects or individuals and has been around since the 1970s. However, recent advancements have significantly extended its application, leading to innovative uses across multiple sectors. One such field experiencing a transformative impact from RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology is healthcare. This sector is experiencing an array of breakthroughs and new RFID applications, demonstrating the technology’s growing importance and versatility in modern industries. RFID technology also performs a key role in providing efficient and precise access to medical data that benefits healthcare professionals.

RFID technology revolutionizes organizations by automating their operations, making tracking and managing different assets easy. Advanced systems reduce the need to manually check items and then update the spreadsheets, a wonderful way to reduce human error. It also supports compliance and healthcare quality initiatives, ensuring complete adherence to the set protocols.

Amid all the benefits, there has been lagging in RFID implementation within the healthcare industry, as had earlier been anticipated. This article surveys the potential benefits and applications of RFID. We may also try to identify some of the barriers to the full adoption of RFID, which can include:

• Technological constraints
• Patient privacy concerns
• Cost issues

How do we define RFID Technology?

Did you know a patient’s life can be seriously threatened with a simple pinpoint error? Healthcare providers are always on the move, saving millions of lives across the world. Still, it is sad to say that about 50,000 people die yearly while in hospital either due to insufficient medicare or inaccurate medical records.

RFID acts as a superhero when we consider the tech world. An example is when you head to a hospital, and the doctor locates important equipment needed for an emergency within a short instance. You need to understand that RFID uses electromagnetic fields in automating the identification and tracking of tags attached to given objects. Such tags possess electronically stored information. The system contains two parts: the tag/label and the reader. You place the tag on the object for tracking, which has a unique identifier. The reader emits radio waves and receives the signals from the attached tag.

RFID tags fall into two groups:

• Passive tags: They draw their power from the reader’s radio waves and are good for inventory tracking since they are small and have lower costs.
• Active tags: Possess their dedicated power source and can transmit data over long ranges. They are good at tracking large assets or high-value goods.

RFID is becoming very important in healthcare due to its accuracy and efficiency. You can use RFID to track the location and status of items in real time. Traditional barcoding is being phased out by bringing in new technology. Modern technology allows the simultaneous reading of RFID tags without direct visibility.

RFID has many applications, including tracking patient movements and authenticating pharmaceuticals. We will talk more about the applications later in the article. We can now understand that RFID boosts efficiency in operations and improves the level of patient care. Since tracking and inventory have become automated, healthcare providers have focused much on patient care instead of spending most of their time on administrative tasks. RFID reduces human error by ensuring appropriate medication gets to the right patient, a good way of improving safety.

RFID technology comes with versatility, precision, and simplicity. It is a good investment to consider where healthcare facilities enjoy efficiency, safety, and a smart future.

Benefits of RFID in Healthcare

The Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has revolutionized the healthcare industry, becoming a core component of software development in the IT sector. The integration into healthcare systems brings about a paradigm shift in how to manage different critical operations. Healthcare providers depend on RFID for many functions, from tracking medications to efficient inventory management, medical supplies, and equipment.

Here are some of the benefits RFID brings to the healthcare sector:

• Inventory management and Tracking of Assets

Most organizations face challenges in tracking materials and assets. It could be items undergoing production, finished products awaiting dispatch, industrial containers to be returned to the manufacturing company, laptops, tools, and other equipment of high value that happen to go missing. RFID systems are useful for automated, reliable, and fast-tracking of items.

The use of RFID systems helps have an immediate count of items for certain types or categories, their location, and their general status within a given process. You can easily know where misplaced items are within your site, understand your stocking needs, and carry out audits and control measures. You set RFID tags on disposable items like gloves & syringes, and other high-value equipment to quickly determine their location and save time. Tampering with medical equipment, damage, and theft are some issues you avoid when using RFID technology.

• Automation saves money and time

RFID systems automatically track how items move and load the data to an ERP system. That means there is no need for the traditional manual filling of forms and then loading to outdated spreadsheets. Readers fixed at key points help healthcare providers save time and concentrate on other tasks.

• There is improvement in data availability and accuracy

Readers collect and upload data electronically and can do multiple operations simultaneously. Data duplication and transcription errors are minimized, and no items can be missed. Other staff members can extract real-time data from cloud-based systems, which helps them know the location and status of certain items.

• Improves safety and health

RFID helps the institution know if certain equipment has undergone inspection or when it is due, ensuring that it meets the correct conditions for use.

• Leads to improved efficiency in Healthcare Delivery

RFID technology improves the quality and accuracy of medical services. Most processes become faster, like administration of medication, lab testing, and blood sampling. Patient care and management become more efficient when RFID applications are used.

• Streamlined patient care processes

Once patients report to the hospital, they undergo several processes, from registration to post-recovery checkups. RFID systems automate the processes, thereby reducing time and effort. RFID wristbands come in handy during emergencies by instantly providing the patient’s medical history for faster and more accurate treatment.

• Real-Time Resource and Patient Tracking

RFID technology integration in the healthcare sector allows for real-time updates on the availability of resources and where the patients are at a given moment. They play a big role in emergencies and managing appointments, ensuring hospital staff and facilities are at optimal productivity.

• Monitoring the temperature and humidity

RFID technology helps to maintain the appropriate storage conditions for sensitive medical supplies like blood samples and vaccines. Real-time monitoring of the temperature or humidity provides instant alerts if the levels change.

• Simplified tracking and validation

The facility can easily track products through clinical workflows and supply chains through the facilitation of RFID technology. With the technology, healthcare providers can validate actions and treatments, ensuring appropriate treatment goes to the correct patient. Such enhances the quality of healthcare and minimizes medical errors.

Applications of RFID

The above benefits establish some of the core applications of RFID in the healthcare industry.

• Medical Asset Tracking

You attach RFID tags to medical tools, from reusable and disposable to durable assets like equipment and beds. An IoT tracking system monitors their movement, ensuring they are available when needed. Locating such items becomes easy using mobile or web apps with integration of the facility’s map.

• Inventory Management

With the use of RFID technology in managing the medical inventory, hospitals can instantly identify where there are medication shortages and the expiration dates, ensure appropriate use of medication, and avoid any theft.

• Tracking Patients

RFID tracking helps in improving patient safety and care continuity within a facility. It is used in mental health facilities, neonatal units, elderly patients, and pediatric departments. Locating patients becomes fast.

• Tracking Medical Staff

Equipping medical practitioners with RFID badges or bracelets enables tracking their interactions and locations. Supervisors can easily track them when there is an emergency. It is also a good way to spot workflow bottlenecks and manage the staff workload.

• Tracking Hospital Visitors

RFID technology links visitors to the particular patients they are visiting, and there will be an alert if the visitor’s conduct is not in order. It is a unique way of enhancing patient safety and restricting access to areas regarded as sensitive, like theater or surgery halls.

• Predicting the flow of Patients and rate of admission to the facility

RFID tracking collects essential data that undergoes analysis to forecast the flow of patients and admission rates. It is a good source of planning in terms of medical supplies needed, assessing the capacity of the facility to handle certain workloads, especially the various departments, and easily managing schedules. The analysis and insights help improve treatment schedules, workflows, and efficient scheduling of surgeries. It leads to the optimization of operations within the facility.

Key Features of RFID in Hospital Settings

Here are the essential features you can identify in RFID systems.

• Data Storage of People and Assets

RFID applications present in hospitals are capable of storing broad information, including patient details (like the name, residential area, age, and condition), doctor profiles (the name, position, age, work history, and working hours), visitor identities and connecting to the appropriate patient they are visiting, and asset specifics (like name, manufacturer, year of manufacture, status, expiration date). There is also real-time data storage on the movements of individuals and assets within the facility.

• Monitoring Location

RFID tracking systems must provide ways healthcare professionals can quickly locate needed medical equipment or medications. The system should also store the location information for visitors and patients. Treatment quality becomes enhanced, ensuring no patient misses any scheduled diagnostic test; safety is improved, especially in emergencies like fire outbreaks, and there is maximum security, especially for vulnerable groups like newborns. Supervisors get access to the location and movement of the medical staff.

• Analytics and Reporting

RFID systems must be equipped with mechanisms for analyzing data regarding the demand and usage of the facility’s assets, alongside movement patterns of staff, patients, and visitors. Such analysis provides crucial insights into establishing trends and developing strategic measures for enhancing workflow optimization, allocating bed spaces, facilitating efficient staff schedules, and setting up strong security measures. The system has a dashboard where all the findings are presented, and the relevant authorities can generate reports for different department heads and those who manage the supply chain.

• Alerting Capabilities for any Unusual Activity

The RFID system must have specific features to improve hospital safety by ensuring staff get alerts on skeptical behaviors. For instance, if a certain patient is noted as immobile for an unusually long period or if a medical practitioner is still working unexpectedly late, the system sends alerts to address potential incidents or medical error risks. Supervisors or concerned parties can take the necessary action.

• Monitoring the Asset Condition

The system must have mechanisms for keeping track of the dates of expiration for all disposable tools and medications. The system should also keep track of the maintenance schedules for all the medical equipment. Reports should be generated to ensure no shortages or malfunctioning of tools. Alerts should be on a periodic cycle where the relevant personnel get notifications on expiration or necessary maintenance.

• Feature of Monitoring Patient-Doctor Interactions

The RFID system must have the capability to record all interactions that occur between medical practitioners and patients. Such data helps in ensuring timely and appropriate in-person monitoring and care. This happens so especially for health institutions that focus on behavioral issues.

Conclusion

We have seen how RFID technology is a key player in advancements in healthcare and numerous other industries. Storage of data and tracking locations using radio frequency signals has allowed healthcare facilities to enjoy real-time, data-driven insights. Such insights cut across patient care workflows, supply chain management, standards adherence, and inventory control. RFID has brought about efficiency and effectiveness by doing away with the manual methods of doing things. It is high time healthcare providers fully embrace RFID.

Any queries? Connect with our healthcare software development company – Aalpha information systems!

Also check: HIPAA Compliance for Healthcare Software