The Benefits of RFID and Other Technological Advancements to the Medical Community
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) started out as a military application. The same is true of many technological advances including cellular phones and GPS tracking. Even the first “general purpose” electronic computer was developed for US Army ballistic research.
Today, the technology is available for use in the private business sector. Applications exist in dozens of different industries. Here, we focus on the applications for the medical community.
While the idea of a hospital centralized database and other technological advancements may be controversial at this time, there is no doubt that sharing information can lead to lives saved. In the US, protecting the security of a patient’s medical records has been paramount.
Luckily, the technology pendulum swings in both directions. It is possible to put aside the controversy. A patient’s privacy can be protected while ensuring that critical information is available for healthcare practitioners when and where they need it.
Not only can these advanced tools help to save lives. They are money-saving tools as well. RFID is already being used in some hospitals to keep track of inventory and equipment.
Patient identification bracelets are being equipped with radio frequency tags to reduce the risk of accidents, which in turn reduces the risk of malpractice suits, another money-saving advantage.
A web-based hospital centralized database can be used by administrators to manage facilities that are spread out around the city, around the country or around the world. Schedules can be created, inventories evaluated and innovative cost-cutting measures can be implemented from a central location.
There are applications for private practitioners as well as large hospitals. Regulations concerning the security of patient records affect everyone in the medical community. Owners of small private clinics must be even more concerned about keeping costs down and reducing the risk of malpractice suits. They have more to lose.
If it is well-designed, there is no need to worry that a hospital centralized database could be accessed by unauthorized individuals. Some opponents of the technology warn that no system is completely secure. A knowledgeable database designer would likely disagree. Theoretically, it might be possible to hack into a system. But, it happens much more often in the movies than in reality.
RFID tags are being used to keep track of mobile assets. GPS is being used to keep track of emergency vehicles. Hospitals that make use of these technological advancements are better prepared for incoming patients and their inventories are far more accurate.
These are but a few of the advantages of a well-designed hospital centralized database, RFID tagging and other technological advancements. If nothing else, an administrator or business owner can use the system to gain better insight for cutting costs and increasing profits.
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Author: Tom Gruich
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