How Medical Tablets with RFID Scanners Can Save Hospitals Money

RFID technology can save hospitals time and money and improve patient care.

Technology is improving in leaps and bounds every day, and having a profound impact on every facet of human life in the process. This can be felt most acutely in the healthcare field, where medical-grade computers and similar devices are making it easier than ever to focus attention on patients and provide the very best treatment possible.

That often involves matters of cost as well as efficiency of care. If a given piece of technology can save a hospital money, that means more money can be spent in other areas, as well as staff spending less time poring over the budget to make sure the numbers work. Medical tablets – particularly those with RFID scanners and similar add-ons – can make a huge difference on that front. With the right application, they can reduce the organization’s costs considerably: freeing up staff time and ensuring that the focus stays on the patients where it belongs.

RFID scanners automatically spot tags connected to objects and can transmit that information to a computer. When attached to a medical tablet, they can be carried by staff members very easily as they go about their duties. What kind of benefits does that provide? Here’s a brief list.

Security

RFID badges allow hospital staff to log into the system without having to deal with awkward passwords or similar flimsy security measures. That cuts down on the time spent accessing the system while tightening up security on vital files. Similarly, RFID scanners can be used to keep track of hospital equipment – ensuring that none of it gets lost or stolen – and can even time-stamp the movements of key devices to provide an accurate picture of how and where that equipment is being used.

Patient Safety

The same principle that keeps track of equipment can be used to monitor the patients themselves, as well as keep better track of their treatment. RFID tags are integrated into wristbands worn by the patient, accessible with just a simple swipe. Not only does that ensure that the patients are kept track of at all times, but it can access details like medication schedules and food allergies to prevent any dangerous mistakes. RIFD can even be used to note infectious conditions, and keep patients with transmittable diseases safely quarantined. That prevents lost time, missing efforts and expensive lawsuits, as well as providing optimal care.

Inventory Control

On a more practical note, RFID scanners allow for accurate and automated inventory monitoring. Not only does that permit staff to quickly ascertain the location of key supplies in a large storeroom very quickly, but it can alert staff when supplies run low, or when perishable supplies are approaching their expiration date. That prevents costly shortages, as well as cutting down on the time spent keeping track of hospital supplies.

Hospitals and other medical services don’t have unlimited resources, and what they do have needs to be devoted as much as possible to patient care. A medical tablet with a built-in RFID scanner helps your staff stay organized and on top of the myriad little details that go into keeping a medical facility running