Quality of service, safety and protection of privacy in hospital: a method for impact assessment of RFId technology in healthcare

Background: Radio Frequency Identification (RFId) technology is rapidly integrating into hospital practices to track assets, identify patients and manage personnel; it is important to assess its impact on privacy, safety and quality of health services. Objective: This paper describes the methodological approach adopted and the tools used by the authors to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of applications and systems using RFId technology in health care facilities to solve problems due to lack of traceability. Methods: To analyse the actual and/or potential effects of this technology, the method adopted is taken from the multidisciplinary approach of Health Technology Assessment (HTA), with particular reference to the assessment of quality of services provided, of safety and of protection of personal and sensitive data. Tools developed during the research include survey, verbal questioning and interviews involving hospital staff members (Management, Technical, Clinical&Service Implementation), and audit in Italian healthcare facilities. Results: We identified the current applications and technical characteristics of RFId technology and we calculated priority levels to determine impact health indicators. Results were used for evaluate the diffusion, the applications and the characteristics of RFId technology and also for calculate its impact on healthcare processes. Conclusions: Using the tools described in this paper, health managers can evaluate the impact of the RFId-based applications in their healthcare structure.