RFID, or radio frequency identification, utilizes radio waves to identify, track, and interact with people and objects. It can store a wide range of information, from short descriptions to serial numbers and pages of facts and figures. Although retailers primarily use RFID, the following write-up specifies why the technology has become an integral part of the healthcare industry.
The use of RFID technology has bought some revolutionary changes in the industry. Also, it has increased the level of overall operations, which increases the efficiency overall. Continue reading the post to know how RFID technology has changed the world of the healthcare industry.
Medicines and Pharmaceutical Tracking
RFID technology in healthcare solutions can successfully deal with pharmaceuticals. They inform about the expiration dates of medicines and their stock levels. RFID also lets you keep an eye on a current lot of medicines.
As medicines and pharmaceuticals are the most crucial items in hospitals, the staff has to keep up a constant stock of essential drugs. They must also have vaccines and other degradable items used during surgeries, such as syringes, gloves, masks, etc.
Medicines and pharmaceuticals are quite expensive. It is, therefore, necessary for the hospitals to stock and track these items. The investment is major and can only be protected through proper tracking.
Tracking Visitors in the Hospital
Ensuring the safety of the patients is one of the primary concerns for healthcare facilities or hospitals. This is why the hospital management tracks the location of each and every visitor coming into the hospital to ensure the safety of the patients.
Visitors are linked with the patient, and in case the visitor is not located near the patient in the common areas of the hospital, the security manager will get an alarm. This is very effective in taking care of patients who need critical care.
Equipment Tracking
Machinery and vehicle tracking is critical for hospitals. It makes the staff aware of the location and contributes to asset maintenance.
Hospital assets are essential and must always be on ready-to-use mode. RFID is used for tracking the assets no matter where they move – outside or inside the hospital premises.
Asset inspection becomes mandatory in operation theatres. This keeps unexpected breakdowns at bay. RFID offers immense help in handling these important assets.
Patient Tracking
Finally, yet importantly, through RFID, the hospital closely monitors the activities of the patients. RFID bands are girded around the patients’ wrists, and these bands carry all relevant data like the patient’s name, what he/she is allergic to, and his/her entire health history.
When the patient has been in the hospital for a prolonged period, RFID allows the doctors to know if he/she is allergic to any of the medications given. The medical record guides surgeries.
RFID tags can be quite beneficial when a patient has memory issues. Since RFID provides updates regarding the whereabouts of the patients, they would not stray or get lost.
Individuals must first learn what inventory management is to know the significance of RFID-based hospital inventory management. Inventory management could be defined as a structured process of functioning, maintaining, observing, and affordably disposing of assets. It also includes measuring the risks, expenditures, and performance metrics.
Similar to an RFID asset tracking warehouse, medication inventory powered by RFID helps healthcare facilities post the medication shortage timely. It also helps them deal with medicine expiration and theft protection and ensure the medication’s intended use.
RFID gathers substantial data and paves the way for accurate analytics. This allows the medical staff to use the available inventory efficiently. It also ensures real-time tracking. This means the medical inventory is updated regularly, streamlining orders and re-orders. Furthermore, RFID opens doors for improved safety, operational competence, and cost savings by tagging assets, stocks, personnel records, and patient documents.
Final Words
RFID technology or innovation in healthcare facilities has great potential to ensure smooth operations of the medical services in the healthcare facilities and hospitals. Additionally, with further enhancement, the system has opened doors for enhanced security, operational effectiveness and cost savings by tagging assets, data of the patient, stocks and even personal records. Hope the difference in the use of RFID technology in the healthcare industry compared to other industries will level up and increase rapidly with time.