Medical technology

Use of RFID/NFC in medical technology for unique identification

RFID/NFC are technologies that are used in the medical industry and healthcare sector for the automatic identification of devices, machines, medication, beds, doors, etc. They optimize processes, increase safety and reduce errors in hospitals, care facilities, pharmacies and medical laboratories

Examples from the medical sector and healthcare

The identification of beds, medical furniture and equipment with RFID/NFC technology enables seamless documentation of maintenance, repair and inventory status. For example, by reading the RFID/NFC transponder on the bed, hospital staff can determine in real time whether it is available, what the cleaning status is or whether highly infectious patients were lying in it.
The use of RFID/NFC transponders on beds and doors makes the day-to-day work of hospital staff much more efficient.

RFID/NFC readers are installed on doors and elevators. When a bed equipped with an RFID/NFC transponder approaches, it is detected and the door or elevator door opens automatically, provided the corresponding authorization is stored in the system. This automation ensures optimized processes and smooth transport throughout the hospital.
Sterilizable RFID/NFC transponders are integrated into tubes and cables. Readers are attached to the corresponding medical device. Before a tube or cable can be connected to the respective medical device, the integrated RFID/NFC transponder must be held up to the reader. This verification process ensures that only cables and tubes that actually match the medical device are used. Mix-ups are ruled out.

It is also possible to check whether the cable or tube has been properly maintained and cleaned.
A key area of application is automated inventory management and hospital logistics. Medication, blood doses, implants and consumables are provided with RFID/NFC tags. These RFID/NFC tags are scanned by readers during goods receiving, storage, removal and dispensing and the information is transferred to the relevant warehouse management software. This means that all movements and stock levels can be monitored in real time. This allows bottlenecks to be avoided, automatic reorders to be triggered and expired products to be sorted out in good time.
The correct dispensing of medication to patients is a key task for nursing staff. To avoid mix-ups, all patients are given a wristband with an integrated RFID or NFC chip. The nursing staff reads the wristband and automatically receives the electronic patient file and the instructions for dispensing medication on the tablet. This minimizes the risk of mix-ups and incorrect doses.