RFID use is expanding in healthcare. How do you see it improving patient safety and clinician efficiency?

John:

At the Axia Institute, we are focused on developing value-chain solutions for healthcare and other industries. Additionally, our research and testing capabilities for RFID in pharmaceuticals are particularly important because we understand how RFID can help secure value chains and improve patient safety. That is why we are eager to collaborate with providers throughout the pharmaceutical value chain, from manufacturers to hospitals – helping to test the characteristics, reliability, and shipping performance of RFID tagged items. Axia is one of only a few organizations currently providing third-party testing for RFID-tagged items in our lab located in Midland, Michigan. In fact, our team at the Axia Lab is working diligently to define new GS1 Tagged-Item Performance Protocol (TIPP) grades for RFID tagged pharmaceuticals in our continued effort to improve traceability and interoperability throughout the healthcare supply chain. At the end of the day, hospitals, clinicians, and patients benefit from interoperable, high performing RFID products to improve clinician efficiency and contribute to patient safety and we are proud to do our part to help.

What are the current challenges in adopting RFID in healthcare?

John:

I think one of the greatest challenges to adopting RFID in healthcare is the need for standardization and a common set of rules for the industry. That idea recently became clear to me when I was attending a minor league baseball game with a co-worker and her family, who are originally from Italy. One of our guests had never been to a baseball game, so to help them appreciate what was happening, I realized I needed to start by explaining the rules of the game – two teams taking turns at bat and playing the field, three strikes per at bat, three outs, and so on. As I explained the rules of a game I’ve known my entire life to my guests, I started to think about the importance of standards and understanding the rules. Our team at Axia is focused on promoting GS1 standard protocols for RFID source tag validation, which we believe can help move the adoption of RFID technology forward by providing one set of rules that everyone can learn and successfully implement.

Where do you see the future of RFID in healthcare?

John:

As our organization continues to collaborate with different companies across the healthcare value chain, we see enormous potential for RFID to facilitate supply chain traceability and increase patient safety. We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to provide RFID testing and third-party validation in a neutral environment according to GS1 standard protocols. In fact, the Axia Institute just completed a 15-month study focused on demonstrating the viability of RFID in helping to support the requirements of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act, or DSCSA. This study involved a number of manufacturers and others from across the value chain including a distributor, dispenser, and solution providers also interested in exploring this critical area of focus. While only 2D barcoding is mandated by the regulation, Axia’s research has found that RFID can be a complementary technology for the industry and demonstrated that prescription drugs can indeed be successfully RFID tagged for traceability across the supply chain.