Using Radio Frequency Identification Technology to Store Patients' Medical Information

Abstract

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology enables wireless communication between a RFID reader and a RFID tag. One type, passive RFID tags, need no battery, being powered from the RFID reader's radio frequency signal. Passive RFID tags can support memories that can be used to store portions of the patient's medical history. One form factor for passive RFID tags is an employee ID (used for wireless access) or credit card form factor. This form factor allows the patient to carry their medical information with them. RFID benefits include providing information to Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), maintaining a patient's vaccination history and providing emergency contact information, all in a clear and unmistakable format. This simplifies information exchange during patient transfers, a cause of many preventable medical mistakes and errors. Cheap and simple systems, such as the one presented in this chapter, can reduce stress and prevent possible errors. Such systems with an intuitive human-machine interface can reduce the duration of a patient visit throughput. This system can prevent simple errors such as the administration of the wrong drug, dose, or drug omission, which is a major issue in hospitals. This requires that information be stored in a standardised manner, with limited healthcare provider access and use to protect patient privacy. This chapter explores the use of passive RFID tags to store medical information about a patient, with specific focus on storage of a child's vaccination history and safety.