Title: Radio frequency identification applications in healthcare

Authors: Angela M. Wicks, John K. Visich, Suhong Li

Addresses: Bryant University, 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917-1284, USA. ' Bryant University, 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917-1284, USA. ' Bryant University, 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917-1284, USA

Abstract: When lives are at stake, zero defects should be the established standard. This philosophy applies whether the federal government is attempting to protect the nation|s drug supply from terrorist attack or in other healthcare environments where patient safety is critically important and where medical errors can result in death or serious injury. Therefore, any technology that can reduce the threat of terrorist attack, reduce medical errors, and increase patient safety should be thoroughly tested and evaluated. Radio frequency identification is one technology that has significant potential to secure the medical supply chain and increase the safety and efficiency of healthcare processes. In this paper we discuss the potential benefits of passive, chip-based, read-write tags, the areas of applications, implementation challenges, and corresponding strategies of radio frequency identification in the healthcare industry.

Keywords: healthcare; radio frequency identification; RFID; supply chain management; e-business; medical supply chain; patient safety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2006.010414

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2006 Vol.7 No.6, pp.522 - 540

Published online: 20 Jul 2006 *

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