RFID Verifies Medication Administration
St. Clair Hospital in Pittsburgh commenced utilizing passive, high-frequency RFID tags to ensure correct delivery of medications, including timing, dosage, drug, and patient. The facility is using handheld mobile computers manufactured by Socket Mobile, the SoMo 650, which includes components to both encode and read RFID tags, as well as scan bar codes.
The system implemented at the hospital includes implanting patient identification wristbands with RFID tags. The wristbands are tagged with equipment from Precision Dynamics; ID badges for hospital staff members are also tagged.
The software program, VeriScan, can run on handheld devices such as PDAs and mobile computers. Nurses check identification and verify drug information by checking a drug order at the time of medication administration. The tools also allow staff members to update patient’s records at any time.
A database collects information wirelessly every time a bar code is scanned, include the date and time. The handheld includes voice commands when to verify the patient; including an alternate in the case that there is a discrepancy. The electronic system also updates automatically.
The system is a more advanced iteration of a program St. Clair originally implemented that relied on laptop computers rather than mobile computers or PDAs. The hospital used scanners to read bar codes which were attached to laptops on carts which could be moved throughout the hospital wards. The equipment was not ideally suited for this environment.
More information describing the system components is detailed in the RFID Journal.
Related stories:
- System to Track Medication Implemented at New England Sinai
- RFID Tracks Chemotherapy in Czech Republic
- TCM Releases RFID Medication System
July 12, 2007 Related topics: Materials Management