RFID in the healthcare supply chain: Usage and application:

 Purpose of this study are determining the most efficient and cost-effective portions

of the healthcare supply chain.

 This study represents that the cost of implementation current RFID technology is too

expensive for broad and sweeping implementation within the healthcare sector at

this time.

 RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) technology implementation may

enhance healthcare services and products by lowering costs, implementing the

quality of care and make patient care more reliable and consistent by properly

management tracking information and material flows.

 RFIDs are electronic chips embedded within or very near a product or shipment

which can be tracked by tracking supply chain from manufacturers to suppliers,

wholesalers, hospitals, pharmacists, intermediates, and end customer.

 There are two min tags.

1. Active tags transmitting signal further than three meters and its cost is bit high.

2. Passive tags do not emit radio signals but responds to RFID scanners with the

product or shipment is placed through the scanning portal.

 RFID technology is widely available and relatively easy to integrate in healthcare

supply chain but due to costing still it is prohibited by many participants.

 RFID application in healthcare system requires basic IT infrastructure for moving

forward for its tracking.

 RFID technology can provide many benefits for healthcare and pharmaceuticals

application. There two approaches to the methodology first one relies heavily on
 reading and interpreting research and existing source from healthcare and RFID, etc.

This approach identifies the RFID technology, capability, and issuer concerns with

implementation. Second one relies on informal interviews with mothers to obtain

estimate times during hospital process for childbirth.

 The framework for this study utilizes the Lean Six Sigma tool of value stream

mapping (VSM). This study follows the framework of VSM by identifying the current

state map, create and outline lean value stream potential, and future state map.

 Three keys to success moving forward with RFID tech:

1. Collaboration.

2. Long-term relationships

3. Capital investment.

 RFID technology can provide many benefits for healthcare and pharmaceuticals

application that allow service providers to design more efficient process, reduce

costs, improve service, and improve patient’s safety but for this initial investment in

equipment, software training of personnel and adjusting of business processes can

run up a large bill in the first year or more for implementing it.

 RFID applications can be used in pharmaceuticals, medical device, medical

equipment’s and patient supply chains.

 RFID applications can control product diversion, protect against counter fit drug and

track medical devices.

 A case study on pregnant women was done RFID technology helps a lot in waiting,

admitting, curing and discharging of a patient during whole process due to free flow

of information.
 Investments into RFID technology should only be made for certain aspects of supply.

But within few years, it will be cheap enough to fully integrate into healthcare supply

chains.