Enabling real-time management and visibility with RFID

Radio frequency identification (RFID) and Real Time Location Systems (RTLS) provide a wireless means to identify, locate, monitor, and track assets and people. RFID technology can be used for resource and patient location, to reduce costs, improve inventory accuracy, and improve patient safety. A number of pilot deployments of RFID and RTLS technology have yielded promising results, reduced costs, and improved patient care. However, there are three major issues facing RFID and RTLS systems, privacy, security, and location accuracy. As described in this chapter the privacy and security issues can be easily addressed by employing standard security measures. Location accuracy issues are physics-related and new advances continue to improve this accuracy. However, in hospital applications accuracy to the room level is sufficient.