Real-time Location and Inpatient Care Systems Based on Passive RFID

TitleReal-time Location and Inpatient Care Systems Based on Passive RFID
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsP. Najera, and J. Lopez
JournalJournal of Network and Computer Applications
Volume34
Paginationpp. 980-989
PublisherElsevier
ISSN Number1084-8045
KeywordsEPC Gen1&2 performance, Hospital information system, Inpatient management, Medical asset management, Real-time location system
Abstract

RFID technology meets identification and tracking requirements in healthcare environments with potential to speed up and increase reliability of involved processes. Due to this, high expectations for this integration have emerged, but hospital and medical centers interested in adoption of RFID technology require prior knowledge on how to squeeze RFID capabilities, real expectations and current challenges. In this paper, we show our lab tested solutions in two specific healthcare scenarios. On the one hand, we analyze the case of a medical equipment tracking system for healthcare facilities enabling both real-time location and theft prevention. Worth-noting aspects such as possible EMI interferences, technology selection and management of RFID data from hospital information system are analyzed. Lab testing of system reliability based on passive UHF RFID is provided for this case. On the other hand, we analyze and provide a solution for care and control of patients in a hospital based on passive HF RFID with the result of a fully functional demonstrator. Our prototype squeezes RFID features in order to provide a backup data source from patient’s wristband. It also provides an offline working mode aiming to increase application reliability under network fail down and therefore, improving patient’s safety. Considerations regarding lessons learned and challenges faced are exposed.

URLhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6WKB-5023KSB-1/2/3b970ad38b2ce768888c4eec24ea472a
DOI10.1016/j.jnca.2010.04.011
Citation KeyNajera2010
Paper File: 
https://nics.uma.es:8082/sites/default/files/papers/Najera2010.pdf

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