Hospitals have historically lagged behind in technology adoption in the evolving healthcare space. Many organizations still rely on traditional sales processes and manual messaging, and face challenges such as staff shortages and how to ensure equipment availability. Inefficiencies often stem from the relationship between the healthcare system and its vendors, such as medical device manufacturers. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is providing healthcare organizations with the ability to monitor and reduce human error.

Tray tracking during sterilization. While traditional methods of handling medical devices using pen and paper are error-prone and inefficient, RFID technology (RFID tags)enables hospitals to create specific sterile zones to track the progress of each tray through the processes of decontamination, inspection, assembly and sterilization.

RFID technology is not limited to pallet tracking, but offers great potential for collaboration between medical device manufacturers and hospitals. In particular, the focus is turning to sterile packages and implants used in medical procedures. The complexity of medical procedures, especially those involving expensive inventory, creates a gray area of accountability and trust between hospitals and manufacturers.

RFID provides a reliable solution for managing consignment inventory, reducing time-consuming audits and ensuring a transparent chain of custody. This not only improves patient safety, but also saves time, costs and resources for manufacturers and hospitals.

In short, the healthcare industry is at a critical juncture where embracing technology is essential to survive and thrive. RFID technology, while not a quick fix, provides a reliable benchmark for hospitals to anticipate and improve processes. The benefits are not limited to patient safety, but also include cost savings, increased efficiencies, and enhanced collaboration between device manufacturers and hospitals.