RFID or radio frequency identification has revolutionised many areas of the modern world and this includes the pharmaceutical and medicine industries as well. One of the main benefits is that it has made it easy to track and retrieve information quickly regarding items in the supply chain. It also has helped avoid costs associated with counterfeit or adulterated medications.
It is almost unbelievable how much RFID tagged pharmaceuticals have changed the entire hospital pharmacy platform saving vital time and resources as everything is monitored from movement to the use of medications. That is why the market for RFID solutions is ever growing as it has enabled the healthcare sector to automate data and track assets across a wide environment.
What is RFID?
While similar to the barcode technology, RFID works faster as it uses radio waves to track the data. It works on a tag system with one tag on the item which is tracked by radio waves. There are three parts to RFID, namely the reader, antenna and transponder. The antenna facilitates communication between the tag and transponder via radio waves and identifies the activation signal and stores the data.
Benefits of RFID for the healthcare sector
Asset management and tracking software streamline the tracking process for pharmaceuticals and medicines updating the system with vital information such as expiry dates, stock levels and where the medicine is stored. As some of the most critical items are there in the healthcare sector it is imperative that hospitals have precise information regarding their stocks of essential medicines. This includes items such as masks, gloves, syringes and degradable stock such as vaccines.
Medicines and pharmaceuticals are expensive commodities and so having up to date data regarding these stocks ensures that they are protected from possible theft, misplacement and neglect. Thanks to the structured monitoring process it ensures that these valuable assets are utilised in the most cost efficient way.
It has also helped save time as there is always exact data at hand with no time wasted having to search for stock. Further, there is ready information regarding stock and when items need to be restocked in time so there is no fear of running out.
RFID has more than proved its potential for the healthcare sector and as its technology further advances it has helped enhance security, operational effectiveness and facilitated industry savings.
