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The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) in Northern Ireland will implement Idox Health’s iFIT logistics management program at its Royal Victoria Hospital to help the hospital protect patient information while effectively managing the ever-increasing number of medical records.
According to Digital Health, iFIT utilizes radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that can be attached to medical records. Each tag has a unique serial number, allowing hospital staff to track its location from a mobile device about 4 meters away. The RFID sensors installed in key locations in the hospital will automatically read the tags when the tags pass, so they can monitor the movement of the tags in the hospital.
This system allows BHSCT to squeeze an additional 20% of storage space in the Royal Victoria Hospital’s medical records. The medical records database currently stores clinical records of approximately 180,000 patients. Other BHSCT hospitals also plan to introduce iFIT.
Each storage shelf in the Royal Victoria Hospital’s medical records will be assigned a global location number that meets the British Ministry of Health’s GH1 standard, so each document can be accurately located. Since the technology does not require sorting, the Royal Victoria Hospital will be able to immediately increase the maximum capacity of the medical record library to 250,000 copies.
A BHSCT spokesperson said that the introduction of iFIT will help meet these challenges. iFit can also be used as a platform for other projects for more purposes. Although iFit was initially only used to track patient records, the system will eventually allow BHSCT to track other important hospital assets, such as equipment, medications, and even the patient himself, and serve as the starting point for the introduction of the electronic medical record system.
In fact, British hospitals have achieved positive results in adopting RFID tags. Digital Health News reported in June that the Royal Forth Valley Hospital in Scotland saved £360,000 in costs by attaching RFID to hospital beds, microinjectors and patient monitors. In addition to making it easier for employees to find medical equipment, they can also understand where they are no longer needed, and can sell excess equipment and avoid unnecessary purchases.
At the same time, the British Ministry of Health is testing the Scan4Safety barcode system for tracking patients, hospital staff and equipment. In the six UK health insurance trust hospitals undertaking pilot projects, patient safety has improved, and attribution of responsibilities has also improved.
The head of sales at Idox Health stated that iFIT will have a huge impact on the way the trust hospital monitors medical records, while also providing a basis for GS1 compliance. After signing a contract with a second trust hospital in Northern Ireland, Idox Health has now become a major supplier in the region.
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