News / Networks
RFID equipment tracking at Royal Alexandra Hospital
In April 2008, Royal Alexandra Hospital was expanding a wireless and RFID system intended to make portable medical equipment easier to find.
Why the hospital deployed tags
The initial aim was to cut staff time spent searching for equipment such as defibrillators, infusion pumps and blood monitors. The account also expected clinical teams to benefit when equipment could be located more quickly at the point of need.
Rollout in progress
Carillion IT Services had installed the wireless network in 2007, and tag deployment began later that year. Seven wards had active-tagged equipment and readers, with further wards and outpatient facilities planned; the stated final scale was an estimate.
A site-specific implementation
The figures, costs and rollout plans are those reported for this hospital project in 2008. They are not a measure of current NHS technology or an assurance about later deployment outcomes.