Radio frequency identification: the big role player in health care management

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to review the fundamental concepts of radio frequency identification (RFID) and to discuss the fact that the road to success for healthcare systems is the thorough management of patients, employees, equipment, medications, and records throughout the industry. Thereafter, it aims to prepare a deep review of the technology, study seven new cases on the topic of healthcare management and deliver a broad applications area thereof.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper identifies key elements of RFID through the review of healthcare management literature and case studies. For this purpose, seven cases from the healthcare industry are reviewed to demonstrate the extent of the applications of RFID in this area.

Findings

To make healthcare management systems functional and successfully operational, RFID solutions can be used to reduce operating costs through management of patients, employees, equipment, medications, and records to improve tracking and tracing, and preventing the lost of resources under any circumstances.

Originality/value

This paper delivers a review of RFID on the healthcare industry. For this reason, the basic and key point on RFID technology is discussed and seven cases from the literature are reviewed.

Citation

Zare Mehrjerdi, Y. (2011), "Radio frequency identification: the big role player in health care management", Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol. 25 No. 5, pp. 490-505. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777261111161851