Radiofrequency identification (RFID) technology is already used by many healthcare providers to monitor employees and give them access to restricted areas. Now the same technology in RFID badges can be used to log onto X-ray imaging systems automatically.
RFID readers are built into the new DRX-Revolution Mobile X-ray systems from Carestream Health (older systems can be retrofitted). The technology allows technologist to log-in to multiple systems without having to remember multiple passwords.
Boca Raton Regional Hospital (Boca Raton, Fla) is one facility that has already installed the Carestream system. “With RFID technology, our technologists are online instantly and can select a patient from the work list and begin imaging,” said Gail McNamara, Director of the hospital’s Imaging Services Department. She added that in addition to simplifying the log-in process, the system provides “an accurate record of which technologist conducted each exam and what files each technologist viewed.”
