RFID in Healthcare
RFID in Healthcare
RFID in Healthcare
I N HEALTHCARE
This paper was created by individuals representing the global affiliates of the Health Industry
Business Communications Council (HIBCC). It is intended to inform the global healthcare industry
about the application, benefits and challenges of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in healthcare.
It also presents basic RFID concepts and discusses existing standards to help the reader develop a
reasonable understanding of RFID and its suitability for specific healthcare applications.
I. INTRODUCTION 3
V. LIMITATIONS OF RFID 10
XI. REFERENCES 14
To help the healthcare industry implement RFID * The 2004 paper, “Prepare for Disillusionment with RFID”
into its current practice, a solution that uses presents this view of RFID in relation to the Gartner Hype
standards that have already been developed for Cycle (see References).
Our current major activities have emerged as a HEINRICH OEHLMANN is the Vice President of
result of this broadening focus: Technology for EHIBCC. Products of his initiatives
Standardized manufacturer, customer, and are the DIN V66401 and HIBC "Unique
product identification codes, including the Labeler Identification Mark -UIM" for small and smallest
Identification Code (LIC), Health Industry Number medical devices, ISO-powered HIBC RFID tag
(HIN®), and Universal Product Number (UPN®) technical specification, and the documentation DIN
and the Health Industry Bar Code (HIBC) V66403 "System Identifiers" for interoperability
Standards between HIBC, ISBT, ASC and EAN/UCC. He is
Computerized EDI protocols in ASC X12 also a member of the HIBCC technical committee.
approved message formats Contact him at [email protected].
Participation in national and international
organizations working to further enhance
electronic communications standards. XI. REFERENCES
Perhaps most important, HIBCC is a nonprofit ANS 2 HIBC Health Industry Barcode Supplier
organization that plays a major advocacy and Labeling Standard.
educational role in the health care industry and Canvin, John. "Joint Automotive Industry
serves as the forum through which consensus can Statement on EPC." March 2006.
be reached as it electronically transforms itself for
twenty-first century commerce. EHIBCC TC. "ISO-powered HIBC RFID solution."
January 2004.
EPCglobal Object Naming Service, Version 1.0 -
X. ABOUT THE AUTHORS EPCglobal Ratified Specification. October 4,
2005.
LUIS FIGARELLA is co-chair of the HIBCC Guenter, Erich. IBM. Frankfurt, Germany.
Auto-ID committee, and a member of the technical Messing, Dr. Olaf. ASICON. Tokyo, Japan.
committee. He is an Auto-ID consultant, as well as
co-founder of StereoImaging, a manufacturer of NiemeyerStein, Werner. NiemeyerStein
stereoscopic-video surgical microscopes, and Engineering. Bremen, Germany.
Extremetix, a provider of Print-at-Home ticketing. Oehlmann, Dr. Harald. "What is a smart label?"
Formerly he was employed with RVSI/ID Matrix September 2002.
and United Parcel Service, where he participated in Woods, J. "Strategic Planning SPA-23-1513: Prepare
the development of the both the Data Matrix and for Disillusionment with RFID."
MaxiCode 2-D symbologies. He is a Professional June 29, 2004.
Engineer and Patent Agent.
Contact him at [email protected]. ISO/IEC 18000-x. "RFID Air Interface Protocols."
ISO/IEC 15961,2. "RFID Data Protocol."
KIRK KIKIREKOV is the President of HIBCC AU.
ISO/IEC 15963. "RFID Unique Tag ID."
He founded it to support suppliers and providers
in the Australian Healthcare industry in Vieider, Guenther. Interactive Logistics
implementing HIBCC standards, and has worked Consulting. Milan, Italy.
to implement innovative solutions to common
HEALTH INDUSTRY BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL 14