RFID is a technology, like an electronic bar tag, that uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. These tags contain electronically stored information that can be read remotely, without requiring a direct line of sight. It is most commonly used in inventory management and supply chain logistics. Think of chips in credit cards, passports, and microchips implanted in pets.
Deeper Dive
Some hospitals and health systems are employing RFID to keep track of equipment. This can be anything from beds and wheelchairs to medications in dispensing cabinets to tools like blood pressure monitors and stethoscopes. Using RFID can save personnel time searching for equipment and reduce costs as there is accurate inventory. RFID also can be used to collect data about patients to prevent misidentification and track patients who wander and are an elopement risk, or to match newborns with their parents.
For more about the benefits and barriers to RFID technology in health care, see this report from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).