Can RFID Track Intravenous Fluid Flow?

Published: November 5, 2012

Are there any tags, sensors or other equipment available that could monitor the drip-flow rate of IV fluids being injected into a person’s body, and to issue alarms if the fluids cease to be injected?

—Name withheld

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I am unaware of any RFID-related products that do this. I have heard of companies looking into creating tiny tags that could be placed on medical equipment, including catheters and luer connectors (devices that connect medical tubes). In the event that a nurse accidentally attempted to stick the wrong tube into a catheter, an alert would sound since the software would know the correct catheter’s ID. However, I don’t know if such products are yet on the market. If any of our readers know of any RFID-based devices that could monitor IV fluid drip-flow, please post information below.

—Mark Roberti, Founder and Editor, RFID Journal