Introduction Patient safety is the most important and uncompromised issue for hospital. Our hospital has shown that is our number one concern and we have won numerous of awards to account for it, including the. Let us continue to be a patient-centered facility by rising with new improve technologies such as RFID to enhance the overall quality of patient care. Implementing RFID can help enhance patient safety, inventory management and asset tracking in the surgical department of our hospital. Industry representatives estimate that about 200 hospitals are using RFID technology (page, 1 or 18 2006) to protect patient from potential mistakes in surgical procedures. Although bar code eliminates some potential problems, it has drawbacks. RFID is a more efficient process when there is a need to identify, track, and manage inventory. The primary goal of RFID is to improve patient care by reducing medical errors, potential lawsuits, cost, and most importantly the time not spent on patient since now more than ever patient are choosing their hospital.

Rising health care cost and patient safety are a major concern for hospital. Government studies suggest strong IT investment could cut health care costs by 20 percent each year, and RFID can definitely contribute to these health care cost reductions (Murphy). As our hospital seek ways to reduce expenses, it is important that patient safety is not the trade-off (adversely affected) and RFID holds great potential (in our hospital) to significantly reduce cost, and improve patient safety. Our hospital has been frequently recognized for providing a quality work environment, as well as demonstrating a commitment to quality care by implementing processes, procedures, and technology to reduce potential errors in our surgical unit medical errors, eliminates inefficiencies and errors, and improves quality patient care and safety. Let us continue to we keep our competitive edge by rising with new improve technology to enhance overall quality of patient care, especially since now more than ever patient are choosing their hospital. In order to keep our competitive edge, increase patient safety, and reduce cost, I propose that (to increase patient safety and reduce cost) we implement the use of RFID in our surgical department. cited patient safety as the No. 1 reason for interest in the technology (Murphy). Survey showed that patient safety and medical error reduction are top priorities for hospitals (Murphy). During the past decade, patient safety and high-quality patient care have increasingly become the focus for healthcare organizations across the country. Safety is an area of great concern for consumers and health care providers. Technology is a strategy to enhance patient safety. RFID can help reduce three potential problem that can occur in our surgical unit such as misidentification, foreign retain and inventory misplacement. Leading-edge hospitals are using RFID to tag surgical sponges, scalpels and other surgical equipment to reduce medical errors and potential law suits. Most of our patient are from outpatient surgery sees a business Opportunity in the growing number of surgeries and our hospital could loss market share in our surgical services, if we do not pull even with our competitors and enhance patient care. Losing market will be very hurtful considering that 1.5 million of our dollars come from our outpatient surgical units.

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Advantages of RFID RFID is a bar code that’s been upgraded. Unlike traditional bar code, it doesn’t require a line of sight to visually read or scan tags. So therefore, RFID data can be read through patient clothing, non-metallic materials, and even the human body (2435). RFID scanner can read at longer distances than bar code, and read multiple tags at once. It also yields larger memory capacities and faster processing. Bar code scanning has drawbacks like

not being able to read barcode, if the paper is ripped off or becomes unreadable. RFID will continue to grow in its established roles where barcode or other optical technologies are not as effective.

What is RFID?Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a communication technology, often referred to as automatic identification that uses radio waves to routinely identify people or objects and which include bar codes. A RFID system consists of three components a RFID tag, RFID reader, and RFID database. Inside of each tag is a radio transmitter and radio receiver

RFID TagAn RFID tag contains an embedded microchip, radio receiver and radio transmitter. The chip stores basic information about a tagged object, typically a product code and a unique serial number. The information is relayed using radio waves to an RFID reader, which then transmits the data to business software systems where it can be put to use. RFID tags are available in three different types: passive, semi passive, and active. Passive tags store a small amount of data, are powered by an electronic reader, and react when a signal is received. The passive tags have a range of about 3 feet and are effective for uniquely identifying things and people in controlled settings. Semi-passive tags are similar to passive tags but contain an internal power source. Due to this power source, the semi passive tag holds more data and has a greater range. Active tags offer the most features, largely due to their internal lithium-battery power source. An active tag continuously transmits and receives signals on many different frequencies and is capable of immense data storage. They are effective for identifying and locating people or items that move frequently and over large distance indoors. Low- frequency systems have short reading ranges. They are most commonly used in asset tracking and identification application. High frequency systems offer longer read ranges and higher reading speed. The reader decrypt the data encode in the integrated circuit of the tag and the data is passed to the host computer processing.

RFID ReaderReaders can either be portable handheld terminals or fixed devices that can be positioned in strategic places such as loading bays in shipping and receiving facilities, or the doors in transport trucks. Often antenna is packaged with the transceiver and decoder to become a reader/interrogator. An RFID reader, or interrogator, is a device to communicate with the RFID tag. It broadcasts a radio signal, which is received by the tag. The tag then transmits its information back to the reader. This enables a RFID reader and RFID tag to communicate to each other through a specified radio frequency. The reader decrypt the data encode in the integrated circuit of the tag and the data is passed to the host computer processing..

RFID databaseRFID middleware consists of computer hardware and data processing software that connects readers to computer systems and data repositories. It converts data from tags into tracking or identification information. It may also help filter data more effectively, and remotely monitor, control and maintain readers. Middleware is a generic term used to describe software that resides between the RFID reader and enterprise applications. It's a critical component of any RFID system, because the middleware takes the raw data from the reader—a reader might read the same tag 100 times per second—filters it and passes on the useful event data to back-end systems. Middleware plays a key role in getting the right information to the right application at the right time. The most important component is the RFID-specific software that translates the raw data from the tag into information about the goods and orders that are represented by the tags. This information can then be fed into other databases and applications for further processing.

How will RFID be implemented/used/incorporated? RFID can have profound impact and benefits for our surgical units when the right resources are tagged. RFID applications are for identifying patient, tagging surgical equipment, and managing inventory. These applications of RFID will help eliminate potential problem in our surgical department and provide (Hospital RFID applications) provide the following significant benefits. Real-time data on assets Improved inventory efficiency and management Increased efficiency and product flow Fewer errors Cost reduction Reduce administrative burdens on care givers Shorten patient wait times Increase patient safetyThese benefits will help enhance the overall quality of patient care in our surgical centers. The benefits of using RFID in our surgical department are compelling. To achieve these benefits at Ministries Hospital, I propose that we choose (use RFID to) (use rfid for one of the three) from one of the three possible (options) solution: Use RFID to identify patient, Use RFID to tag surgical equipment, or (and)Use RFID to manage inventory.

How will RFID process work at Ministries Hospital? Identifying Patient As you know, the FDA now requires Hospital to do a universal protocol procedure to eliminate the likelihood of wrong site, wrong procedure and wrong patient surgeries (FDA 1, 2005). Government estimates indicate that five to eight wrong-site surgeries occur each month(). Due to the fact that paperwork is time consuming, patient transfers are often poorly coordinated, and busy staffs juggling multiple responsibilities do not always communicate well with each other or with the patient and their family. These system inefficiencies create opportunities for medical errors and safety gaps, potentially harming the patient. RFID can (has the potential to) help enhance the standard operating procedure. by making the human process more accurate, efficient and less time consuming. Marcy hospital implemented RFID to patient wristband and Schaeffer said, “Nurses appreciate the time savings and convenience that can be applied to their workflow” (Young 2435). The RFID wristband also reduces misidentification of patients and allows for more accuracy. The RFID system reduces the time nurses spend entering data about the patient, leaving them more time to provide care. Before surgery begins, surgical staff can read RFID tags Embedded in wristband with handheld readers to confirm the right patient and procedure. The memory of the tag can store information like doctor’s name, patient’s name, age, gender procedure, operative site, and medical-record number. The unique ID number of the tag is then associated with the record of the patient in the hospital’s back end information system. It also lists critical information such as allergies, precaution, and special needs. The device also displays a checklist of procedures that must be carried out before that specific patient can progress through to the next stage of the surgical process. Our nurses will be aware of the status of their patients and can avoid delays in patient flow caused by a lack of information. RFID

could provide a useful means for our hospital to avoid surgical errors and alleviate patient concerns.

Tagging surgical equipmentOur nurses spend 15 to 30 minutes counting surgical sponges before, during, and after each surgery to ensure that all sponges used are removed. This manual process is time consuming, and subject to human error, even with our most conscientious surgical staff count can be unreliable in our busy surgical unit. According to clear count an estimated 1,500 object are left inside patients during surgery each year, and studies have shown two-thirds of them are sponges (Clear Count Medical Solution 1). Many of them are not discovered until years later, which required an additional operation. Embedding our surgical equipment, tools and assets such as, sponges with RFID tags can save us from potential lawsuits. RFID can prevent sponges and other materials from being left inside our patient during surgery because it does not require a line of sight to read tags. Therefore, sponges and other surgical instruments can be detected inside the human body. Alex macario, M.D. led a study at Stanford university medical center to determine if RFID technology could be used to help reduce such errors (schuerenberg 34). During the study, 28 RFID sponges were left in eight patients, surgeons pulled together the patient’s incisions and used scanning device to scan for sponges and all sponges were detected (schuerenberg 34). By implementing RFID to track surgical instrument, our surgical teams will be able to scan the patient with an RFID interrogator in the form of a wand after surgery to make sure no sponges are mistakenly left inside the body. The technology could supplant time-consuming manual counts done by nurses several times during the course of a surgery, or costly and time-consuming X-rays that can detect threads sewn into the sponges which reduces staff time not dedicated to patient care. Managing inventoryAsset management is critical for patient safety. Our staff spends vast amounts of time looking for surgical equipment and shared resources, which frequently delay our surgical procedures. Having the right products, for the right doctors, at the right time, is complicated and challenging which, potentially trade-off patient safety, staff job satisfaction and overall productivity. By monitoring the status and whereabouts of critical medical equipment used in the surgical units, staff can ensure that equipments are ready for surgical procedures. Using RFID to manage inventory can lead to more precise supply orders and more accurate delivery of appropriate materials to physicians and patients. Managed inventories will lead to improved asset use, lower rental costs. Bon Secours Health System, Richmond,Va., installed RFID at three hospitals to track 12,000 pieces of equipment. The health system no longer has to spend money on replacing lost equipment—a once common problem—and the nursing staff saves 30 minutes per shift because they don't have to search for equipment. (Murphy) clinical environments can improve operating efficiency and reduce costs. Many hospitals are using RFID to track high-value assets within their facility so that care givers spend less time looking for assets, utilization is improved and routine maintenance can be scheduled and managed automatically. Our hospital incur high costs related to lost and misplaced equipment which leads to increase cost because of the need to rent equipment to meet usage demands. RFID-based tracking eliminates staff time spent searching for equipment and inventories can be pulled out because equipment does not get lost.RFID asset tracking systems are reported to return their investment in less than 3 years (nagy63). A study of tracking in operating room showed an improvement in the utilization of surgical department from 57% to &70%, which in turn paid for the RFID system through a reduction in need for overtime pay (nagy63) Easy location of items in back room. The impact on patient satisfaction. Location assistance is often needed to ensure patient safety when urgent medical attention is needed.

COSTThe cost of implement RFID depends on the application, the size of the installation, the type of system, maintenance and many other factors, so it is not possible to give a direct figure. Each component will have up-front costs and some unexpected costs. RFID passive tags are priced anywhere from 28 cents to $1 each. Semi-passive tags range about between $6 and $50 tag, depending on capabilities. Active tags are priced between $15 and $100 a tag, based on options and memory. RFID readers range in price from $500 to $3,000, depending on their functionality. The cost of middleware varies from vendor to vendor and is usually based on the number of locations where it will be installed, the complexity of the application and many other factors. Forrester Research put the cost of middleware at $183,000 for a $12 billion manufacturer looking to meet the RFID tagging requirements of a major retailer. In addition to tags, readers, and middleware costs. Our Company will need to invest in training for employees and pay for the installation of the readers. We may also need to hire a systems integrator, upgrade enterprise applications and networks within facilities. It's not possible to provide a list of every element that our company will need and the cost of those systems. These questions will be discussed and answer with RFID vendors. However I look at company who had a background like ours who deployed RFID but applications were different so the cost of implementation varies. According to page, quotes from various vendors indicate that it costs $200,000 to $600,000 or more to install a facility wide RFID tracking system in a medium-sized hospital. But vendors are quick to say that the new efficiencies RFID systems produce can pay for the investment in one to two years, and many hospital clients agree (page 18, 2006). In total, the system reports saving $200,000 a year over the cost of installation and maintenance of RFID, not including productivity gains. For these early adopters, the savings and improved patient care far outweighed the cost of RFID installation and maintenance (Murphy).

PrivacyA technological tool known as a blocker tag or blocker, on the other hand, can prevent privacy violations before they occur. A blocker effectively jams readers that emit private-read commands. In a nutshell, when it detects a private-read command, it simulates all possible RFID tags in the world, rendering the reader incapable of communicating with other tags. By carrying a blocker, a consumer can ensure against scanning of her personal possessions. Many RFID tags include a built-in 'kill' function. When provided with the correct pass-code, a tag can be either reprogrammed or told to 'self destruct', rendering it useless

ConclusionThere is a clear advantage to using RFID tags in department where tracking supplies, beds, trays, plasma bags and thousands of other items remains a major challenge for health care institutions. Many hospitals are implementing one-off systems to achieve a specific goal, such as tracking assets and managing inventory. Today as well as insights into how to move from one-off applications to an infrastructure approach to RFID. Application of RFID for counting surgical instruments which would improve safety, time and inventory control. Many hospitals are implementing one-off systems to achieve a specific aim, such as identifying patients or tracking one type of assets. While these systems can achieve significant benefits, implementing RFID

infrastructure that can be used to track patients, assets, surgical instruments that need to be decontaminated and other applications can profoundly improve our hospitals bottom line. I propose we take an infrastructure approach to RFID and implement for applications of patient identification, tracking surgical instruments and asset management. I PROPOSE THAT WE IMPLEMENT RFID as a trial base in our surgical department for 12 Months. I propose that to increase patient safety, reduce cost and enhance the overall patient care we implement RFID technology use in our surgical unit. I propose that we plan for implementation in our surgical department since it enhances the most benefits short-term or long-term plan. Implementing this technology will help our company, enhance quality patient care by reduce costs while increasing patient safety, eliminating errorsHealthcare providers today face serious challenges on all fronts. Hospital administrators haveSharpened their focus on cost containment and efficiency. The government has greater interest inHealthcare issues, and hospitals must monitor compliance. Patients are becoming more informedand therefore more discerning about who provides their healthcare its new facility, whichemploys 7500 workers and serves 45,000 patients each year, its primarygoal was to improve standards of treatment with patient-centric care. Thehospital also wanted to increase productivity, improve coordination betweencaregivers, and create a collaborative care environment where patientschoose to receive treatment and clinicians want to work. The new system uses radio frequency identification (RFID)technology to continually monitor device location. The hospital’s staffcan quickly locate any tagged device in moments using the map-basedinterface. Patients are more satisfied because they don’t have to wait