RFID Tags as a Surgical Implant Inventory Control Source: Swedberg, Claire. \"In
ID: 383100 • Letter: R
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RFID Tags as a Surgical Implant Inventory Control
Source: Swedberg, Claire. "Innovapaedics Develops RFID System for Tracking Surgical Implants, Tools," RFID Journal, http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/view/10391/1, posted 2/5/2013.
This article describes an exciting medical advance that will soon track surgical implants by placing the tags on implants and tools. The system, by Texas startup Innovapaedics, also includes a cloud-based server to store data and provide reporting to customers regarding the location, use and status of each instrument used during surgery, as well as devices implanted into patients.
Innovapaedics' 3-5-year goal is to offer a "Smart Implant" solution that would include RFID tags and sensors permanently attached to implants. After an item is implanted into a patient, its RFID sensors would detect pressure and temperature changes, among other events, in order to track a patient's healing process, as well as the device's condition, and transmit that information to a reader. In the short-term, meanwhile, the company has developed MedEx, an RFID solution for tracking implants prior to their use within a patient, to track which items were used on that individual. The resulting data is incorporated into medical and billing records.
MedEx also enables hospitals to track surgical tools. A tag can be permanently attached to each surgical tool, and the tag's ID number is linked to specific data about that tool in the MedEx. As a new tray of tools is created for use during a surgery, each tag is interrogated as the tool is placed into the tray and linked to that tray's RFID number. Post-surgery, the tools are cleaned and sterilized, and are then placed in a tray once more. MedEx stores a record of which tools belong in that tray, and displays an alert if the wrong tool is placed there, or if a tool is missing. The software cannot only track the tray in which a specific tool is stored, or to which patient a particular implant has been administered, but also enable the reordering of inventory based on which implants were used.
Critical Thinking Questions:
1. Innovapaedics' new advance includes
A.
reports on the location of surgical tools.
B.
a cloud-based server.
C.
keeping track of implants.
D.
All of the above.
2. The "Smart Implant"
A.
can help track a patient's healing process.
B.
will be available this year.
C.
installs a sensor in the patient's arm.
D.
All of the above.
3. MedEx is an inventory system because
A.
it RFID tags each patient so they do not receive the wrong implant.
B.
it cleans each tool post-surgery.
C.
it is a 3-5 year plan that control all implants.
D.
it can reorder based on implants used.
4. This an important OM advancement because
A.
cloud-server software has never been used in medical applications.
B.
RFID has never been used in medical applications before.
C.
RFID tags on tools and implants can save lives.
D.
operations managers can control doctor's surgical decisions.
Explanation / Answer
1. Innovapeadics new advance includes:
Option D: all of the above is correct
2. The smart implant can help track a patient's healing process.
Option A is correct
3. MedEx is an inventory system because:
Option D is correct: it can reorder the inventory based on which implant were used
4. This is an important OM advancement because:
It is able to track surgical implants by placing the tags on implants and tools.
Option C is correct
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