RFID keeps medical records straight

Just minutes after a baby is born, a nurse will slip an ID bracelet around its tiny wrist. It usually indicates the baby’s name and date of birth and prevents any mixups among the dozens of newborns which doctors have to deal with every day.

Some hospitals are going one step further. They are setting new standards in patient identification by replacing the conventional ID wristband with one that is RFID-enabled, thus increasing safety and security levels substantially.

Helping you avoid allergic reactions

In many cases, a tiny RFID tag is embedded in an ankle or wristband. With a patient’s or parent’s consent, the tag’s unique number is linked to medical records in a database. This allows the doctor to call down your complete file on a portable computer at your bedside and check you are receiving the right care to ensure a speedy recovery. To prevent unwanted reactions, a nurse can use an RFID reader to scan your wristband and retrieve information on your allergies or other medications.

Another example: a hospital in Amsterdam performed a study in which it tracked the movements of personnel and patients around the operating theatre. It found that patients often had to wait before going into surgery. The hospital is using the data collated via RFID to increase the efficiency of its operating theatres and reduce the time patients have to wait.

These are just a few examples of how RFID is improving the safety and efficiency of healthcare in dozens of hospitals around the world. With that extra peace of mind you can better enjoy life's special moments – like the arrival of a new baby girl or boy!