Improved Contact Tracing with RFID Technology
RFID Contact – Cost Effectiveness and Ease of Use
A rfid contact can be deployed to track and trace the contacts of suspected COVID-19 cases. The process is automated, making it much faster and more effective than manual tracing.
There are some concerns that RF systems can fail, leaving gaps in contact tracing. This is a real concern, but it can be addressed by developing robust plans and training.
Cost-effectiveness
When considering the cost-effectiveness of RFID systems, it is important to consider both fixed and recurring costs. Fixed costs are those that remain the same throughout a company’s use of the technology. These include things like the purchase of tags, printer ribbon, and software licenses. Recurring costs are those that will occur over the lifetime of a company’s use of the system, such as maintenance and support.
RFID allows companies to track and manage inventory, perform stock checks and audits, control ’shrinkage’, and more. Additionally, it helps them meet regulatory compliance requirements and provide better customer service.
Healthcare providers’ perceptions of the value of RFID can be a barrier to implementation. Okoniewska et al. (2012) conducted a study of an RFID system in a hospital and found that staff were dissatisfied with the system’s accuracy and ability to decrease search times for equipment and patients. However, a proper education of the technology is key to success.
Reliability
RFID technology reduces the need for manual data entry and improves production/processing speed, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing costs. It also helps in optimizing work instructions, supporting quality improvement and traceability, and enabling offline operations in emergencies. Additionally, it improves the security of items and allows for a better overview of processes.
However, some fears remain about privacy concerns and the potential for RFID tags to be used to track people without their consent. This has slowed the adoption of RFID in Healthcare, although it can help prevent errors in medical procedures and improve patient safety.
The RF reader reads the unique ID of each tag and transmits that information to the backend system. The system then manages the data and controls the reader and tag operation. The tags are configured to respond with identifying information, such as an individual serial number or a stock or product-related identifier. These identifiers can be stored in the RFID reader or in the software system.
Ease of implementation
The information that is obtained by RFID is much more detailed than barcodes, allowing companies to streamline business processes and eliminate unproductive work. The technology also allows for more efficient inventory tracking and reduces management times. It is also a good choice for industries that deal with large volumes of goods, such as manufacturing and logistics.
RFID tags emit a signal that is detected by the reader’s antenna. This electromagnetic energy is used to power the IC on the tag. The IC then broadcasts data to the RFID reader, which decodes the signals and interprets them into usable information.
One concern that is often raised about RFID is privacy and security. Privacy concerns are based on the possibility that RFID readers could read personal information linked to the tagged items. To address these issues, privacy standards and specifications are being developed. In addition, the RFID systems can be integrated with existing software management systems to minimize implementation time and costs.
Security
A major concern with RFID systems is the privacy and security of personal information. However, this can be addressed by following a structured implementation program that focuses on processes and not just technology. This will help ensure compliance with HIPAA and other privacy/security standards. Staff who handle data need to have defined job descriptions and be empowered to report potential anomalies.
A manual option for securing RFID data is to use an insulated shield to protect the tag. This prevents the data from being accessed by an intruder. The tag can then only send a response that the reader can decipher.
Another option is to use one-sided encryption. This involves the reader encrypting the data it sends to the tag before sending it. This prevents the tag from accessing the incoming data and makes it useless to intruders. Lastly, it is important to use tags that are FCC certified and operate in the 902 – 928 MHz frequency range. This ensures that the devices are operating within FCC regulations and not in the bands used for other communication types.