Hospital and Health System

Since the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) came on the scene in 1996, managing and tracking patient information has become a top priority for health organizations. In efforts to improve efficiency and help meet HIPAA compliance, Capital Health System has implemented a file tracking system combining a healthcare records management solution from Infolinx Systems Solutions and radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies from Intermec.

Capital Health System, a 589-bed acute-care and teaching hospital, started using the RFID-based solution in its Sleep Centers to manage its 5,000 patient files. The system is a comprehensive records solution that tracks patient files from beginning to end, including a records retention program.

"The RFID-based solution at Capital Health's Sleep Centers provides a single system to manage the significant amount of meta data for the patient demographics and the physical life cycle of the patient chart," said Chip Benson, director of business development at Infolinx Systems Solutions. "RFID is the ideal technology to automate the tracking and management of patient files, and the Intermec solution seamlessly integrated into the system."

RFID tags are placed on every patient file and a series of fixed RFID readers are placed in strategic locations around the sleep center to program the tags and track them as they are. The system’s database is automatically updated to reflect accurate, current record location data. Handheld computers with RFID readers are used when files can't be located and for regular audits of offices to ensure files are not misplaced.

"The Intermec/Infolinx RFID system completely automates the file tracking process, so our staff spends much less time managing files," said Rita Brooks, administrative director for the Sleep Centers. "We've seen a significant decrease in misplaced files since we've implemented the solution, which has improved the efficiency of our operations."

Source: Intermec Inc, August 1, 2007