Can RFID Be Used to Track Patients and Care Providers at a Clinic?

I am looking for a way to accurately track how much time a patient remains in a clinic, while also monitoring when a care provider enters or leaves a room. Can RFID do this automatically?

—Name withheld

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Yes, an active real-time location system (RTLS) can be set up to do this. Many RTLS providers offer badge tags for staff members and wristbands for patients. It is possible to configure software to track how long patients spend in a particular area, and how long care givers are in a room with a patient. Here are a few articles about hospitals tracking patients:

• Hospital Tries ZigBee to Track Patients

• Philly Hospital Uses RTLS to Track Patient Flow, Care and Training

• HCA North Florida Expands Its RTLS to Track Patients

• Bassin de Thau Hospital to Expand RFID System for Tracking Patient Records

• Testing Ultrasound to Track, Monitor Patients

• Belgian Hospitals Use RFID to Track Temperatures, Assets and Patients

• Tags Track Surgical Patients at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital

—Mark Roberti, Founder and Editor, RFID Journal