RFID in health care: taking the first steps
RFID technology and its application within the health care environment are far away from a simple, standard solution. However, the possible gains in transparency, patient safety and efficiency more than justify the efforts involved.
Three pilot studies in the Academic Medical Centre clearly demonstrate the added value of the application of RFID in healthcare. A business case is used to show the possible benefits of a large-scale implementation. However, in order to simplify future applications, further research into a number of specific issues, such as the interpretation of temperature fluctuations, is essential.
Future challenges will relate primarily to the analysis of data obtained through the application of RFID, and the translation of that data into concrete process improvements.
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What is RFID?
The abbreviation RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It refers to a technology that uses radio waves for the remote exchange of data between an RFID reader and a so-called RFID tag, which is attached to a specific (mobile) object. The signals from an RFID chip (mounted on the RFID tag) are received by the RFID reader by means of an antenna. The RFID reader translates the radio signal into a digital form, for example a tag identification number.
The RFID tag is also equipped with an antenna which can be used to add or modify data on the RFID chip. |
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The RFID in Healthcare Project
A consortium of partners, consisting of the Academic Medical Centre (AMC) of the University of Amsterdam, Capgemini, Geodan mobile solutions, Intel, and Oracle, has defined and completed a study on the application of RFID in Healthcare. The project was executed by request of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, and was partly financed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs as coordinator of the Statewide IT Agenda. In addition, funds and resources have been provided by the consortium partners. |
