RFID Hospital Patient Tracking - Active Uses

 RFID technology has come a long way since the days they were first used to tag equipments, vehicles, expensive animals being moved and some that are stored. These days, the RFID hospital patient tracking system is a top-line technology and is quite effective in its designated use.

These days, the RFIDs are also used not just to track patients but also used in tracking doctors and expensive medical equipments. These tags are attached onto ID bracelets worn by all concerned.  Sometimes, they are exclusively used on patients requiring special attention whose locations are constantly monitored.

The systems are now provided with electronic links for wireless communication of patient data. Medical authorities can do an instant assessment on critical equipments and people or their locations through GPS-blended RFIDs.

Benefits

The benefits of the rfid hospital patient tracking are immediate and practical. First, is the continuous tracking of each patient’s location. On equipments, authorities don’t lose connection with their expensive instruments and equipments.

Also, with the tracking device at work, no unauthorized person can enter designated restricted areas of the hospital (pediatrics, drugs, etc.). Sometimes, some areas are altogether restricted not just patients but including hospital personnel. These are in times of emergencies, terrorist threats, epidemics and other extreme cases.

The latest models have transponders embedded in them to allow recording of the some patient information, usually including health history and allergies, if any. The RFID tags can be used to access the information for review and updates. 

Tracking files

Usually, the patient’s files contain important data like address, medical details, health history, allergies, prescriptions, clinical reports, test results and certificates, name of attending doctors, and insurance company details.

The technology uses the unique code and handheld readers that can communicate with the tags embedded in the files and locating them. This effectively reduces the human factor and consequently manpower reduction. In the meantime, the patient is immediately cared for.  

The RFID is usually made of high-resistant plastic material with a single-use clasp and a transponder embedded in it. The tag effective allows the tracking, identification and location of the patient. The system can limit their departure or access to certain areas in the facility.

ER patient tracking
One other significant use of RFID is centered on the patient’s whereabouts and condition after treatment and care at the hospital’s emergency room. The tracking software is integrated with the hospital’s own ED system where they are given an RFID tag. (This also integrates with the RFID tags worn by physicians and other ED staff.)

After the tags have been time-stamped, all the other patient information is sent to the system. Those with acute conditions are helped by the tracking system to get the hospital’s critical quality metrics and are immediately administered with the correct processes.

As the patient moves around, the system sends real-time updates. The staff can view the patient’s location on large-screen tracking grid at individual stations or on their mobile devices. This is the gist of the RFID hospital patient tracking at work.