What is the problem?
1. If a patient with a known preexisting condition is unresponsive and does not have any obvious medical identification on their person, first responders would not have knowledge of this condition.
2. The list of medications given to a patient can be mixed up when transferring them to different levels of care or when taking the patient to a healthcare facility in an emergency.
3. During a mass casualty, it is difficult to track medications given to each patient and the condition of each patient.
2. The list of medications given to a patient can be mixed up when transferring them to different levels of care or when taking the patient to a healthcare facility in an emergency.
3. During a mass casualty, it is difficult to track medications given to each patient and the condition of each patient.
Our solution
We have drafted a system that will keep patient charts on an RFID wrist band that can be read by hospital personnel and uploaded to a healthcare charting system such as Epic. This device uses high capacity RFID (radio frequency identification) technology to store patient data on a chip. The chip is a passive transponder and does not require the use of a battery. A list of medications, conditions, and any patient information can be stored on this chip using an RFID read/write device. First responders can put the chip on patients in a prehospital environment and can write data to it as necessary. This system will help prevent overdoses and miscommunications when transporting patients between levels of care and treatment facilities. Also, the healthcare provider could scan the chip with a mobile device before giving the patient a medication. If the medication will overdose the patient or negatively cross react with another medication, a warning could be displayed.
Examples of use
1. If a patient has a severe latex allergy, they can wear the wristband which will contain their medical information. If they are found unconscious or in a position in which they cannot communicate, first responders can scan the wrist band informing them of the patient's allergy.
2. This system could be used when triaging patients after a disaster such as a hurricane or tornado. A first responder can put a tag on the patient. The responder could then write the medications given to the patient and the condition of the patient to the tag. When other healthcare professionals treat the patient, the tag could be scanned and treatment history reviewed. Once the patient arrives at a treatment facility, the medical personnel can have a report of every medication given to the patient in the field.
3. If a patient goes into cardiac arrest in the field, the first responders could place the tag on the patient and write the patient's condition, along with any treatments given. Once the patient arrives at a healthcare facility, the tag could be scanned and the treatment history could be displayed in the trauma room for healthcare personnel to view. The patient's treatment history could also be uploaded to a healthcare charting system such as Epic or Cerner.
2. This system could be used when triaging patients after a disaster such as a hurricane or tornado. A first responder can put a tag on the patient. The responder could then write the medications given to the patient and the condition of the patient to the tag. When other healthcare professionals treat the patient, the tag could be scanned and treatment history reviewed. Once the patient arrives at a treatment facility, the medical personnel can have a report of every medication given to the patient in the field.
3. If a patient goes into cardiac arrest in the field, the first responders could place the tag on the patient and write the patient's condition, along with any treatments given. Once the patient arrives at a healthcare facility, the tag could be scanned and the treatment history could be displayed in the trauma room for healthcare personnel to view. The patient's treatment history could also be uploaded to a healthcare charting system such as Epic or Cerner.
What is RFID technology?
RFID stands for radio frequency identification. RFID chips are used in a wide variety of industries and applications including corporate badges and access systems. Each chip emits a unique identification number and some can even store data. There are two types of RFID devices; passive and active. Passive RFID devices are powered through electromagnetic waves emitted from a scanner, while active RFID chips are powered by a battery. The RFID technology that we will be using in our product is passive making it very light weight, and inexpensive. This makes it ideal for our application.
Could storing patient information and records on a wristband be a security threat?
Possibly, as with any new use of technology storing patient records physically on an RFID wrist band could be a security threat. However, there are many measures that can be taken to prevent malicious actions. The data on the patients RFID tag could be encrypted with a key that is listed on the device, but not evident in plain sight. Also, the patient could keep the device in an anti RFID casing until its use is necessary.
