RFID technology has been applied to many sectors and industries, many of which carry essential information through many different channels and locations. One of the more fast-paced industries is healthcare and the medical sector, which constantly evolves and emphasizes the importance of caring for and storing important patient information and details involving products and services. So how exactly can RFID technology improve workflow and support the growing healthcare industry? We’ll take a look at how these processes change the future outlook and why the public health sector should embrace RFID technology even more.
The Importance of Asset Tracking in Healthcare
There’s little debate that the primary goals of the healthcare industry are to focus on streamlining workflows, cutting costs, and utilizing assets better. In hospitals, RFID technology — specifically asset tracking — can do all this and more. It allows for better patient prioritization, as it can cut down on wait times and give medical professionals the ability to provide the proper care to their patients.
RFID technology in hospitals also helps you precisely locate equipment and information, as these tools can identify misplaced items and leave workers more time for the things that matter. Additionally, asset tracking allows for system-wide information sharing, so everyone knows where products and information are. This can also help streamline maintenance and safety methods, as each segment of your facility will be better equipped to service critical medical tools.
How RFID Improves Workflow and Streamlines Medical Processes
RFID medical processes can include tags placed on products and services that use readers that communicate where products and equipment are. It can also include big data warehouses and firewalls that securely transfer data from one source to another. The processes occur as follows:
- RFID tags transmit information to RFID readers located in hospital corridors and walls that collect the info and send it to a firewall.
- Once the information bypasses the firewall, it’s stored in a cloud server that contains a streaming data processor, a data lake, and a big data warehouse that holds and filters unprocessed data.
- Data analytics collect information on patterns, usage rates, and other important information that can help alert hospitals of anything working well or lacking.
- This then leads to staff and admin applications allowing medical staff or patients and visitors to view specific information pertaining to their standing within the facility.
Applying RFID Technology in Hospitals
Applying RFID technology leads to improvements in managing patient flow, tracking important patient assets, understanding where staff is and the location of visitors, and a combination of other enhancements in major hospital sectors. This is broken down below:
Patient Flow
Patient flow is vital to managing the daily workload of a hospital or medical facility. Understanding and predicting patient flow is essential, as it can help you maintain appropriate levels of medical equipment for all and understand how much of a load employees have to take on.
Asset Tracking
All medical tools must be accounted for — and not just because they are expensive items. RFID tags help hospital workers keep an eye out for any lost equipment and ensure their availability for surgeries and upcoming appointments.
Medication Inventory
Patients must have their appropriate medication dosages, and any hospital knows that even going a few minutes over time can have disastrous effects. RFID asset management software can help you understand how much medication is in your possession, how much more is needed, and if medication delivery can be better streamlined.
Patient Tracking
It’s important to know where all patients are and their condition and RFID technology can be used to track and identify each patient in the hospital. This is especially important for individuals in neonatal units, mental health facilities, and pediatric departments.
Medical Staff Tracking
Staff can wear RFID bracelets that track their movement and interactions. This gives every worker access to the people they need most and knowledge of where they will be and when they’re needed. It can also help alert hospitals of how much staff is required to reduce overwork and unnecessary wasted time.
Visitor Tracking
Visitor tracking is also essential, as you should monitor any person in your facility that might be engaging in actions that endanger other patients or workers. Keep an eye on where visitors are to alert security or guide them to the right patient in the facility.
Make Use of RFID Technology in Medical Equipment With Asset Vue
RFID technology offers tons of benefits, and whether you’re attempting to streamline your inventory management techniques or manage patient tracking, you can drastically improve operations. The data shows that this technology is promising, and the investments show that improving patient safety and care is on the mind of many important figures in the RFID sector. As such, you can step your game up with medical RFID equipment from Asset Vue. Options like our RFID smart cabinet make life easier for medical professionals looking to handle the constant flow of critical information headed their way. Team up with Asset Vue today!