East Kent NHS adopts RFID to enhance mattress safety & tracking

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust has deployed a radio-frequency identification (RFID) mattress-tracking system across its three main hospital sites. The system, provided by RFiD Discovery, is designed to improve patient safety and meet Care Quality Commission (CQC) compliance requirements.

Asset Management

The Trust already employs RFID to track medical equipment including infusion pumps, ECG monitors, and hospital beds. Building on this approach, it has implemented RFID tagging for more than 1,700 foam mattresses, utilising two passive RFID labels per mattress. One tag is located inside the cover, while an external rubber tag provides further visibility across the Trust's existing infrastructure.

Hygiene and Visibility

Mattress checks are a critical element of infection control. Previously, the Trust relied on manual inspections which involved marking checks directly on mattress covers. This system lacked a centralised audit and made it difficult to track individual mattresses, particularly when they needed to be identified as contaminated or were moved between sites.

The new RFID-based process aims to address these challenges. With handheld RFID readers and a dedicated mobile application, nursing teams undertake a structured seven-point annual mattress inspection. Each scan automatically links the physical mattress to its digital record, guiding staff through the inspection and uploading results in real time. This approach creates a comprehensive digital record from acceptance of new mattresses through to eventual disposal.

Automated Disposal

The system also includes an RFID-enabled disposal bin. When a mattress reaches its end-of-life, the bin automatically registers its disposal, ensuring that unserviceable mattresses are no longer in use and that a digital trail exists for audit purposes.

Operational Advantages

The Trust reports improvements in several key operational areas since adopting the system. These include better visibility of mattress locations, accelerated inspection processes, and a reduction in manual administrative work. The centralised records support CQC compliance and ensure that staff can quickly identify and remove faulty or contaminated mattresses.

Automated identification through RFID technology reduces the resources required for physical checks and assists staff in tracking assets across multiple facilities. The process also minimises direct handling, supporting infection control protocols. In addition, real-time and reliable data enables more informed procurement and asset management decisions.

"This technology has transformed the way we manage our foam mattresses. We now have complete confidence that every mattress is tested, tracked, and either maintained or disposed of appropriately, helping us keep patients safe while improving efficiency," said Andy Barrow, Head of Electronics, Medical Engineering & Radiology Maintenance, East Kent NHS.