Like
what the acronym stands for, RFID is simply radio frequency identification and
its technology is now fully used in almost everything and in almost all
industries. In the medical and healthcare industry, its most important use is
in the rfid hospital patient tracking Queensland system.
Since
its success, hospitals and big medical care facilities are now using the system
to not just track their special patients. These days, the RFID system is also being
used in tracking their doctors and mobile expensive medical equipments.
Tags
The
RFID is usually made of high-resistant plastic material with a single-use clasp
and a transponder embedded in it. The tag effectively allows the tracking,
identification and location of the patient. The system can limit their
departure or access to certain areas in the facility.
These
tags are attached to ID bracelets worn by all concerned. Their most important
use is on patients who require special attention whose exact 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 and their location.
Benefits
The
benefits of using rfid hospital patient tracking Queensland are immediate and practical. First, there
is the continuous tracking of the location of every patient. With regards to equipments,
authorities don’t lose connection with their expensive instruments and
equipments.
In the
facility itself, with the tracking device at work, no person can enter
designated areas that are restricted to everyone except those authorized (pediatrics,
drugs, etc.). Sometimes, some areas are altogether restricted not just for 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 some
patient information, including health history and allergies, if any. The RFID
tags can be used to access the information for review and updates.
Basics / other uses
There
are several ways the tracking system works. Because of the presence of tags, a
fixed reader electronically “interrogates” these mobile tags. Mobile readers
interrogate both fixed and mobile tags.
In
some, a mobile PDA reader for hospital personnel can scan mobile and fixed tags
too. Doctors can use theirs to scan patient information. The nurses use theirs
on such actions as log medication inventories, for instance.
ER patient tracking
RFID hospital patient tracking Queensland is also significantly used on patients whose whereabouts and condition after
treatment and care at the hospital’s emergency room. The tracking software is
integrated with the hospital’s own ID system where special patients are given
an RFID tag. (This also integrates with the RFID tags worn by physicians and
other ED staff.)
These
days, the files carried on the patient’s tags 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.