British hospital tests RFID solution
Airedale NHS Trust, a medical center in West Yorkshire, will launch a 30-day pilot program to explore how RFID technology can improve efficiency in hospital settings.
The program enables the hospital’s wireless network to trace 100 RFID-tagged IV pumps as they are used in several buildings on the hospital site. The technology, provided by Siemens, can pinpoint any pump’s location to within 3 meters.
“Airedale NHS Trust is intending to leverage the wireless network and prove both the concept and benefits of location services,” said Rebecca Malin, IT project manager at the hospital. “This will provide an insight into how RFID technology could enable the more efficient use of medical equipment.”
The goal of the pilot program is to reduce staff time spent manually looking for the devices, is addition to streamlining stock control and ensuring that pump availability is optimized. The pilot study will look at how RFID can increase efficient use of medical devices within the hospital and identify future applications for the tracking technology. ![[end]](/resources/bullet/rfidnews-4.gif)
