Hospitals Extend RFID and RTLS to New Applications

As service organizations driven by process efficiency and patient safety, hospitals have been an "early adopter" of RTLS and RFID asset tracking.   Early applications included monitoring the location of medical equipment in patient rooms, as well as monitoring patients and medical staff. 

Now primary care providers are deploying RFID asset tracking in more diversified settings and applications, from inventory management of consumables and supplies to process compliance in central sterile and in-house testing labs. 

Common RFID-enabled processes in Hospitals include:

• Specimen Tracking
• Managing Medication Across Multiple Supply Locations
• Surgical Instrument Processing

Surgical instrument processing is well suited to RFID automation, which enables error proofing the intake, inspection, sterilization and kitting of surgical instruments and scopes, as illustrated below:

Automating a Medical Scope Tracking Process with RFID

RFID in O&G - Multiple Use Cases for Multi-Faceted Operations

When asked by an Oil and Gas firm "Why Should We Use RFID?" our conversation ultimately leads to process challenges within the business.  Oil and Gas firms are complex entities, that may span operations as diverse as Exploration and Production to Petroleum Refining to Retail.   

So sometimes an Oil and Gas firm can be like a Chemical company, a Consumer Goods Manufacturer, a Retailer, a Mining company.  

We summarized some of the facets of an O&G firm (and some of the most common use cases specific to RFID) in the table below.

We'll keep refining (no pun intended) the list of use cases as we go along.

RFID's Role in Healthcare Process Automation

RTLS and RFID have played an important role in improving Healthcare process efficiency, tracking medical equipment, staff and patients in busy hospital facilities.

RFID is now being used as an automation tool, much as it has been in industrial manufacturing, to monitor and manage critical process flows in hospitals and laboratories.  Central sterile and laboratory processes require the same checks and balances as complex assembly processes, after all.  Building a surgical kit, and managing the disinfection cycle of surgical instruments is not much different than kitting shipments in a manufacturing facility or managing materials in a clean room environment.

At the HIMSS show this month, we demonstrated a surgical instrument tracking application with RFID using a Motorola handheld reader and ruggedized tags from Xerafy.  It resulted in many interesting discussions on how process automation may be one of the hidden benefits of an Intelligent Hospital.

RFID and RTLS in Healthcare and Life Sciences [Infographic]

It's a common misconception that there's only one use case for RTLS and RFID in Healthcare: tracking hospital equipment across patient rooms.   We're seeing primary care providers, testing labs and pharmaceutical manufacturers implementing the technology for dozens of other use cases, within core operations and across the value chain.  The infographic below illustrates some of these applications.

Harsh Reality for RFID & RTLS -- It's About the ROI

Just presented at RFID Journal's RFID in Harsh Environments event on the evolving business case and ROI metrics for RFID.   The definition of "Harsh Environments" is quite broad, but it generally applies to extreme temperatures/operating conditions, remote worksites and hazardous or highly-regulated materials.   Harsh Environments span multiple industries including Oil & Gas, Chemicals, Aerospace & Defense, Healthcare and Industrial Equipment -- as shown below:

RFID Application Areas in Harsh Environments

Once we get past the definition of a harsh environment, it's important to look at the value drivers for RFID and RTLS (we support all Auto-ID modalities, so we use the terms interchangeably).   The industries listed above, by nature, have complex asset management challenges that are well suited to RFID automation.   We see three primary drivers for RFID adoption in harsh environments:

1. Cost Pressure -- where 100s of millions of dollars/euros/pounds of capital equipment impacts working capital allocation -- a reduction in redundant equipment or write-off/repair of non-working assets can have an impact on operating profit.
2. New Programs -- with new exploration projects, aircraft programs, infrastructure projects comes revenue opportunity -- and customer scrutiny.  Customers are increasingly demanding transparency for programs in progress - not just at critical milestones.  RFID visibility can help provide this transparency, leading to stronger partnerships and minimizing the risk of contract breach.
3. Operational Risk -- the only way to address compliance, audit and safety issues is to build error proofing into the process automation. 

RFID & RTLS in Healthcare - Part 2 - What Assets to Track?

A common myth in healthcare is that RTLS and RFID are only used to track the location and movement of medical equipment.  

But that neglects the fact that healthcare and life science firms have infrastructure to maintain like every other business. Hospitals, pharmaceutical firms and research labs have capital equipment that needs to be tracked and traced; IT assets; consumables and supplies; tissue samples; tools; vehicles and transportation devices.

And location is not the only thing that needs to be tracked. Since consumables and tissue samples are perishable and specialized equipment needs to be regularly calibrated, maintained and/or sterilized, updating an asset's location along with its current status helps ensure patient safety. 

The following table lists examples of assets tracked with RFID in Healthcare:

More information:
RTLS & RFID use cases in Healthcare
White paper download "RFID and RTLS in Healthcare: Myths and Realities".

WIP Transparency: One Reason Aerospace and Defense Firms Are Adopting RFID

An article in this month's issue of Manufacturing Engineering, 5 Trends Driving RFID Adoption in Aerospace and Defense, outlines why the complexity of A&D operations makes it a good fit for RFID process automation.

Sept 2013 Manufacturing Engineering Article

WIP Transparency is one of the key trends driving adoption of RFID in A&D.

End customers are increasingly requesting visibility into Work-in-Process, well before a product is scheduled for final assembly and delivery.  

With a customer facing process, there’s nothing to hide – for an aircraft manufacturer who provides custom variations (like protective options for law enforcement, or specialized avionics, there’s no component substitution. 

RFID tracking helps keep work orders on schedule, locating and pre-staging raw materials, components, tooling and conveyances prior to each process step, and providing WIP visibility to the end-customer.   

Here's a typical WIP tracking process automated with RFID:

Automating Work-in-Process Tracking with RFID

Customer-facing processes get attention from the highest levels.  Many manufacturers are justifying RFID automation with improved on-time delivery percentages and cost savings from rework, expedite fees, discounting and contract fines.

 

What's Driving RFID in Manufacturing Operations?

Today's manufacturers have a full plate of initiatives, from reshoring to sustainability, faster design-to-delivery cycles and greater work order transparency.  And their use of RFID is becoming more and more prevalent.  But the rationale behind RFID process automation has evolved over the years, from supplier mandates, to cost reductions, to performance improvement.  In a recent article in Manufacturing Business Technology, OAT Asset Tracking Senior Director, Chris Forgione, discusses five major trends that are driving the adoption of RFID and RTLS in Manufacturing:

1. Multi-facility Assembly  
2. Design-to-Delivery
3. Product Innovation
4. Customer-Facing Operations
5. Enterprise Asset Management

Many of these trends are gaining importance because they're not relegated to a corner of the manufacturing operation.  They are taking hold because, like working capital allocation, they have a direct impact on corporate performance and shareholder value.  

More details on the Manufacturing Business Technology site. 

RFID Tool Tracking Webinars Aug 15 & Aug 20

Whether it's indirect materials, production tooling or specialized equipment, our #1 request from customers is how to automate tool tracking with RFID.  

Our product management team is holding Tool Tracking webinars this month to discuss:

1. What RFID Tool Tracking does 
2. How companies use it in daily operations
3. How to map RFID automation to existing business processes

Information-packed, 30 minute webinars are being held at:

Thursday August 15 at 11:00 AM EST

Tuesday August 20 at 1:00 AM EST

Online registration is at : 

http://www.oatsystems.com/RFID-Tool-Tracking-Webinar/

RFID & RTLS in Healthcare: Part 1 - Who Uses RFID in Healthcare?

A common myth is that large hospitals are the only adopters of RFID and RTLS technology in healthcare.  

The reality?  RFID Asset Tracking is being widely used in a number of different healthcare segments other than hospitals. 

These include medical labs, emergency medical services, doctor’s offices and clinics, and even manufacturers of healthcare products, supplies and medications. Even relatively small doctors’ practices are using asset tracking to track equipment for service and maintenance schedules, as well as keep track of incoming medication and consumables. And, hospitals are deploying asset tracking in highly diversified settings and applications, from inventory management of equipment and supplies to compliance and real-time asset location.  

The following table lists some of the most common business processes for RFID  and RTLS Asset Tracking:

Common RFID-RTLS ApplicaTIONS – HEALTHCARE

Our RFID & RTLS in Healthcare - Myths and Realities guide has more information. 

Integrating RFID with SAP

RFID and sensor data is real-time, high volume and operational in nature. RFID technology is designed to inform and enrich systems and processes, not be an end in itself. To that end, most OAT deployments include enterprise systems integration of some kind.

Many of our customers are SAP customers as well, particularly in Manufacturing, Logistics, Aerospace and Defense.   Since an ERP system such as SAP serves as the system of record, informing these systems with RFID and RTLS can provide up-to-the minute updates for manufacturing, logistics and service operations.  

To simplify deployments, we've co-produced Manufacturing, A&D and Supply Chain webinars and deployment guides with SAP to illustrate OAT-SAP integration by specific functional area, use case and business process.  

RFID-enabled SAP in Manufacturing

RFID-enabled SAP in Aerospace & Defense

RFID-enabled SAP in the Supply Chain

Integrating RFID & RTLS Data with SAP Applications

How to Track Tools with RFID

OAT Systems Engineer Kapil Asher demonstrates how to track hand tools, tooling, specialized equipment and conveyances with RFID technology

From bearing pullers to digital calipers to composite tooling, jigs, right-to-use tools and FOD prevention, a flexible RFID tracking system has it covered.

5 Myths About Asset Tracking in Healthcare

In any new application area, it’s easy to run into misconceptions or just flat-out errors about the applicability or challenges associated with a technology such as asset tracking. Asset tracking has a long, impressive track record in a wide variety of industries with similar supply chains and workflows as healthcare – such as industrial manufacturing and even retailing. Here are a few common myths and the real-worth truths about the utility of asset tracking in healthcare, from an article in Healthcare Technology Online:

Redefining Tool Tracking for Equipment and Indirect Materials

Tools = Tooling = Indirect Materials = Conveyances = Equipment

Every industry and every business function needs to track capital equipment, whether it's used for service, manufacturing or  distribution operations.

For service providers in Healthcare, Aviation, Utilities and Transportation, the cost of tracking equipment is not just related to the value of the asset, but how often it is needed. A missing wheelchair or infusion pump can compromise patient care. A missing towbar or test kit can result in flight delays. 
For manufacturers - particularly for those with complex processes , production equipment and tooling is highly-specialized, single-sourced and difficult to replace. Misplaced or out-of-spec equipment can derail a production schedule.
For logistics providers - conveyances and reusable transport items (RTIs) must be carefully managed - missing conveyances make for missed shipments.

On the OATSystems website we have separate sections for equipment tracking and tool tracking based on how indirect materials are defined in different industries.  

When building our "asset wall"  and asset tracking for RFID Journal Live this year, we used sample assets from healthcare, manufacturing, aviation and transportation.   In this case, we didn't need to define "tool tracking" in a thousand words - we had the pictures, (of surgical trays, medical supplies, infusion pumps, autoclaves, ventilators, conveyances, bearing pullers, digital calipers, roll cages, composite tooling...) instead.

Tips for RFID Tool Tracking Deployments

A few deployment tips we've learned from RFID Tool Tracking deployments:

Before you get started: 

1. Determine What Types of Tools Need to Be Tracked (hand tools, indirect materials, conveyances, right to use tooling)
2. Figure Out Exactly What You Need to Know About the Tool (beyond its location)
3. Know which Adjacent Processes are Impacted by Tool Tracking  (you may be able to gain additional efficiencies and/or secure additional budget for your project)
4. Understand Whether Tracking Data Needs to be Shared With Your Enterprise Systems (ERP, MRO, Program Mgt, MMS, etc).  You may be able to use some of your enterprise systems budget as part of your project.

More details, and a tool tracking planning guide

How RFID and RTLS Can Save Lives

HIMSS '13 showcased RFID and RTLS technologies in multiple ways:  the Intelligent Hospital Pavillion and speaker sessions from primary care providers, including the US Veterans Health Administration.

The key message?  By automating administrative and operational tasks, RFID and RTLS technology enable healthcare professionals to focus on patient care.  In short, these "invisible" technologies can save lives.  The following article in Healthcare IT News sums it up.

http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/rfid-rtls-can-save-lives

RFID or RTLS?

Deploying RFID or RTLS shouldn't be hard.  We've done it hundreds of times, and have fine-tuned best practices along the way.

One of the questions we hear most often is:  "Should I use RTLS or Passive RFID?"  Our answer?  "Why Not Both"?  Some of our most successful implementations use a mix of RFID, RTLS, UWB, Wi-Fi and barcode, depending on use case, asset type, facility size and business process.