RFID Tracks Chemotherapy in Czech Republic
Collaborating with IBM and with financial support from the Czech Ministry for Education, the Masaryk Oncological Institute in Brno at the School of Medicine commenced a project to evaluate RFID solutions with chemotherapeutic agents.
The project commenced to examine the actual cost-benefit of RFID, as well as patient safety implications. Tagging cancer treatment drugs was initiated because of their hefty price tag, as well as the significant potential for adverse events if used incorrectly.
The team commenced the project by tagging individual drug vials with passive RFID tags. Information on the drug name and dosage contained within is then input by pharmacists.
RFID is also employed to read the chemotherapy vials during mixing along with reading tags that contain information for the designated patient. Pharmacists preparing chemo also wear an RFID-enabled ring. The hood where mixing occurs is equipped with a reader as well.
For further information about the Czech program, see the report in the RFID journal.
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- TCM Releases RFID Medication System
- NIST Reviews RFID Safety
- Counterarguments for Asset Tracking with RFID
June 14, 2007 Related topics: Quality, Safety, Errors, Hematology & Oncology