replies 1
RFIDs, or radio-frequency identification technologies, have been created to help improve patient safety and quality of care and are increasingly being implemented in different healthcare settings. According to HIMSS, “RFID has the potential to save organizations time and money by providing real-time traceability, identification, communication, temperature, and location data for people and resources” (Seckman et al., 2017, p. 21). However, just like everything else in healthcare, there are concerns about this new technology. One of the biggest is privacy; who will have access to the information listed? How do we know that our private and vulnerable information will not be spread? “Common barriers included economic, technical, organizational, privacy, and security challenges.” (Seckman et al., 2017, p. 21).
To balance the concerns related to the cons of RFIDs while trying to incorporate their use into the healthcare system, there will have to be much education surrounding it. Allowing everyone to voice their concerns and make sure they know they are being heard while also educating them on what is being done to keep them protected, such as proper training being completed by staff, research, and staying up to date on the best policies and procedures surrounding RFIDs.
When I think of individuals who could immediately benefit from the use of this technology, a few groups come to mind: the elderly, Alzheimer’s or demented patients, cognitive disabilities, foster care children, children who have been emancipated, etc. This technology keeps health care charts and all your health information up to date. This technology could also be helpful in emergent situations or even “John Doe” patients who are unconscious and brought into the hospital after an accident; if they have an RFID, all their information would be in the computer, and we could contact their emergency contact.
REPLIES 2
1. Pros and cons for using either smartcards or RIFID
PROS:
Enhanced Patient Safety and Care: Smartcards and RFIDs can contain a wealth of information about patients, including medical history, allergies, and lists of known medications. This will allow staff to access the essential information immediately, reducing the risk of medical errors, and omissions. It may also alert staff to potential problems (Thew, 2016).
Efficiency Improvements: These technological solutions can greatly enhance administrative processes, such as patient check-in, the issue of bills, and record-keeping. Less time will be spent on administration, and patients will enjoy shorter waiting times (Mishra et al., 2019).
Data Accuracy and Consistency: Information about the patients is accurately recorded, and contains all important details, widely accessible in the same form by various departments and institutions. This promotes continuity of care (Novak & McKee, 2017).
Security: These devices can guarantee a high level of security, beingencryptedand requiring passwords for access (Rodrigues et al., 2016).
CONS
Privacy and Anonymity. Patients may be worried about their safety in the case of data breach and also about tracking the location. It heavily violates the principle of patient’s confidentiality. Moreover, it is likely that many people will be concerned about having their personal information stored on a card (Perakslis & Wolk, 2006).
Cost: It will be quite expensive to use RFIDs for all patients and in all departments. The cost includes both the devices and infrastructure and staff training (Bacheldor, 2009).
Patient Resistance: It is likely that most people will resist a smartcard or an implanted RFID. There will be the fear to be constantly tracked, health concerns, and a sensation of being “in databases, constantly watched”, along with general privacy issues and perceived or real stigma (Guaglianone & Bortolotti, 2016).
RFIDs and Smartcards
2. Balancing the Real Life Implications subject to Safety Issues of RFIDs and Smartcards
The single most powerful way to balance their legitimate fears is educating patients and the public about the data collected and saved on their cards, what it is used for, how it is protected, and what it is not used for.
Robust Security Measures: Given the concerns regarding privacy and security issues, strong encryption, reliable authentication protocols, and regular security audits should serve as effective ways of addressing them. A provider has to make sure that RFIDs and smartcards meet healthcare-related regulations, such as HIPAA (Rodrigues et al., 2016).
Pilot Programs and Feedback: Initiating pilot programs is the most evident step toward receiving feedback from patients and other stakeholders and identifying possible complications and the reasons thereof. Thus, the information obtained in the course of the pilot will allow adjusting and enhancing the program to make it more effective (Mishra et al., 2019).
Cost-Benefit Analysis: it will also be necessary to carry out a detailed cost-benefit analysis for convincing other stakeholders to fund the program. By stressing the long-term cost effectiveness and improvements in the quality of patient care that the initiative will permit, a provider will be able to attract funds. Additionally, research funding organizations for support grants and collaboration opportunities will be beneficial (Thew, 2016).
