RFID applications in hospitals - A case study for emergency department

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a system that uses radio frequency to transmit identification wirelessly. Its functionality is much more powerful than bar code system, with which a contacting reader must be used to read the bar code. RFID, on the other hand, may read the information stored in a tag with a non-contact reader from a distance as far as tens of meters. Health care industry is highly valued throughout the world; applying the cutting edge technology in health care industry to improve patient health care has been the common goal pursued by the hospitals all over the world. The introduction of RFID as medical application is also being enthusiastically studied now. This Study finds the medical application of RFID application for the workflow of the most critical and the busiest unit in a hospital: the emergency department. The results of this Study may significantly increase the operation efficiency by improving the problems commonly experienced at the emergency room, such as congested queue for emergency treatment and sickbed space, understaffed medical personnel, and patient's leave without permission.