Key drivers for the continued use of RFID technology in the emergency room

Abstract

PurposeMore hospitals and caregivers are realizing the importance of radiofrequency identification (RFID) technology in the face of increased healthcare costs, medical errors, and pressure of governmental mandates. The necessity for and awareness of RFID has yet to drive its widespread adoption in the healthcare industry. As such, this study aims to examine key factors that contribute to the intention to continue using RFID.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts the expectation‐confirmation model (ECM) to study the intention of caregivers to continue using RFID as a vehicle to deliver emergency medical services. It is theorized that perceived usefulness of front‐end interoperability and back‐end interoperability along with performance expectancy contribute to confirmation experience, which in turn leads to satisfaction and ultimately to intention to continue to use RFID. The study surveys caregivers and staffs in the emergency room department of five hospitals in Taiwan.FindingsPerceived usefulness of front‐end interoperability and performance expectancy both have significant relationships with confirmation experience; confirmation experience has a significant relationship with satisfaction, which in turn relates to intention to continue using RFID. The relationship between perceived usefulness of back‐end interoperability and confirmation experience is not significant.Research limitations/implicationsThis study explains RFID adoption behavior using the ECM. Limitations of the study and possible future research direction are discussed.Practical implicationsThe results of this study should help hospital management to build commitment to the RFID system and help equipment vendors to build loyalty to the technology.Originality/valueThis study represents a novel attempt to explain RFID adoption behavior using the ECM. It is expected that the proposed framework and empirical findings can contribute to further understanding of how RFID is adopted and used in a hospital environment.