RFID Readers Help Protect Safety of Vital Blood Supplies

As radio frequency identification technology continues to gain acceptance in healthcare applications, medical professionals and device manufacturers are finding new ways to make use of RFID to increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve patient safety and security.

For example, RFID technology is being used as part of an innovative system to track vital blood supplies throughout the entire distribution process. This type of automated control of biologics enables the healthcare industry to redesign and optimize the supply chain for greater visibility and security, protecting the integrity of life-saving substances while helping to reduce mistakes.

The FEIG OBID i-scan^® PRH200 Blade Reader is a high-frequency, proximity RFID reader module designed to be integrated in printers, handheld terminals or fixed terminals. Offering a high level of flexibility and functionality, the reader modules can be used in combination with various internal and external antennas for contactless, wireless data exchange.

Last year’s Food and Drug Administration approval to use RFID to track blood supplies provides much-needed oversight for this highly regulated supply chain.

“The use of RFID for tracking the nation’s blood supply is an important step, given the critical role that biologics play in patient safety,” said Clive Hohberger, consultant to the United Network for Organ Sharing. “RFID technology can increase efficiencies, while helping to eliminate common human errors, contributing to improved quality of care overall.”

FEIG’s RFID readers are available in LF, HF and UHF frequencies to allow healthcare professionals to use a blend of technologies in a single system.