RFID (radio frequency identification) technology had been around for some time now. Many innovations and improvements later, it has now evolved into something that is now used in sophisticated tracking systems. Currently, there is now the RFID hospital patient tracking used by modern hospitals and medical facilities all over the world.
This tracking capability of the RFID is now used on people. Hospitals are using them to reduce overall costs on both counts. It is necessary to track down ambulant patients, especially those with mental disabilities for their continued care.
It also is a way to ensure that they will not be saddled with lawsuits arising from any untoward incidents regarding these patients.
They are also used these days to track down doctors and hospital staff and expensive medical equipments in and out of the hospital’s facilities. Usually tagged through the bracelets worn by patients, they provide electronic links for wireless communication of patient data.
Monitoring
Even in earlier models, these ID tags with specific frequencies are issued to patients for faster monitoring on their whereabouts. For in-bed patients, out-of-bed detection is necessary. The reasons for this are varied; among them is the danger of physical falling.
Also included is the monitoring of the patient’s periodic schedule of medications. One other note is whether they are taking the right medicine. Close monitoring are focused on patients suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Data
Included now in the tags are the other important information mostly on the patient’s present medical status and some history. Medical authorities need to know if these patients are also scheduled for something major like operations or needs like XD-rays, or MRI.
Equally important are the routine check ups needed to evaluate their current health status. The RFID has the data of their medical history (and present conditions) for easy reference, if needed.
Restrictions
Other tags are also programmed with restrictions, especially going to places that are not conducive to the patients, which are normally barred of their entry. Some of these areas are the pediatric wards, drug storage rooms, and other high-threat places open to access only to authorized hospital personnel.
The restrictions also isolate other persons from these places which are high-risk areas for the hospital. One big reason is that traffic of people in these areas might jeopardize the important movement of hospital personnel in emergencies like epidemics, terrorist threats and the like. It will impede in the duties of authorized hospital staff.
Situations
RFID hospital patient tracking issued to patients with the read and write functions can mean life-and-death situations on the patients themselves. In emergencies, the medics can already write pertinent data regarding the patient’s current situation inside the ambulance on their way to the hospital.
The report on the patient’s RFID can be read by the waiting doctors and can prepare the right set up even before the patient’s arrival.
Once the patient arrives and passes RFID reading devices, the doctors and staff can read the report and can prepare the right setup for him. The use of the RFID hospital patient tracking system is still evolving into a much wider use.
Business Intelligence Systems 