Radio Frequency Identification or RFID technology has been around for decades but its application in healthcare sector is rather recent. This inexpensive tracking technology is fast gaining ground and transforming various aspects of healthcare from patient tracking to equipment management. RFID has potential to streamline operations, improve patient safety and enhance efficiency.
RFID for Patient Tracking
One of the biggest challenges hospitals face is locating patients in emergency situations. With thousands of patients moving around different departments and floors daily, it becomes difficult to keep track manually. RFID tags attached to patient's wrist helps address this issue. The tag contains a unique ID that can be read by RFID readers installed at entry/exit points. This enables real-time tracking of patient's location.
During emergencies like fire or earthquake, locating and evacuating all patients become critical. With RFID, medical staff can quickly scan tags and account for everyone. Some hospitals also use RFID to track high risk patients prone to wandering like dementia or Alzheimer's patients. If a tagged patient moves to an unauthorized area, the system can alert staff immediately. RFID is thus enhancing patient safety and comfort in hospitals.
Managing Medical Equipment and Supplies
Hospitals invest huge amounts in medical equipment but tracking their location and usage has always been a challenge. With traditional barcode systems, equipment needs to be physically scanned at pick-up and drop-off points. RFID provides a more effortless solution.
All medical equipment can be tagged and their location tracked automatically as they pass through RFID readers installed at entry/exit of departments, storage rooms and even elevators. This helps reduce equipment downtime in locating missing or misplaced items. Hospitals can also analyze usage data to optimize equipment allocation. Asset management becomes more efficient as items never need line-of-sight scanning.
Similarly, managing expiration of drugs and medical supplies spread across multiple floors and speciality departments is a gargantuan task. With drugs and items tagged, hospitals can centrally monitor their shelves life and automate replenishment processes. Staff is also alerted in real-time about expired or recalled items that need discarding immediately. This significantly reduces risks of outdated materials being used on patients.
Streamlining Clinical Workflow
RFID is enhancing workflow efficiency in many clinical settings. In operating rooms, surgeons traditionally spend valuable time verifying patient's identity and surgical site before starting a procedure. RFID patient wrist tags when scanned confirm the right patient is in the right place for the right surgery reducing risk of errors.
Similarly, tagging blood samples and blood bags helps ensure right blood is transfused to the right patient. Scanning tags at pre-transfusion verification checkpoints removes manual error possibility. Some leading hospitals have even implemented RFID enabled surgical sponge counting systems. Cloth tags embedded in one side of sponges helps track count digitally ensuring no items are left inside patient after procedure ending malpractice claims.
The technology is also finding applications in linen and laundry management. By tagging linen items, hospitals can automate sorting of soiled and clean linen eliminating manual counting tasks. Overall RFID is digitizing workflows, enhancing compliance to processes and protocols as well as improving workflow productivity in clinical departments.
Data Analytics for Better Healthcare Delivery
One of the key advantages of RFID is the wealth of real-time data it generates on asset and patient movement across facilities. This data combined with Electronic Health Records opens up opportunities for analytics and actionable insights.
Hospitals are analyzing anonymized RFID data to map popular patient pathways and bottlenecks. This helps redesign floor plans and workflows for smoother movements. Equipment utilization patterns reveal underused and over utilized devices aiding procurement decisions. Patient tracking insights help plan staffing needs based on occupancy patterns.
Pharmaceutical companies are also partnering with hospitals to gain supply chain visibility using RFID data. This helps optimize distribution and fulfillment processes. With growing emphasis on value-based care, RFID data driven insights will play a key role in cutting costs and improving outcomes across the healthcare system.
Regulatory Compliance and Beyond
Considering the sensitive nature of healthcare operations, hospitals must adhere to strict compliance and regulations for patient safety and privacy. RFID powered real-time location systems help meet regulatory mandates for tracking controlled substances and assets like wheelchairs, crutches etc. Automatic scanning and alerts ensure staff follows safety protocols.
While the technology is still in initial adoption phase in developing countries, RFID promises to revolutionize various facets of global healthcare. The future will see more innovative applications like smart pills with embedded sensors to track dosage intake remotely and smart Band-Aids that monitor wound healing. Pervasive deployment of miniaturized RFID chips will bring unprecedented visibility offering new opportunities for patient-centric, value-driven care models. RFID indeed holds potential to transform healthcare into one seamlessly integrated, data-driven industry.
For more details on the report, Read- https://www.trendingwebwire.com/rfid-in-healthcare-trends-size-and-share-analysis/
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