RFiD Discovery unveils automated hospital contact tracing

RFiD Discovery has launched an automated contact tracing system for hospitals that uses real-time location data to record close contacts between patients, staff and tagged assets.

The company said the product is designed for infection control teams that need faster ways to identify potential exposure events in clinical settings. It targets healthcare-associated infections, which can increase length of stay and strain clinical resources.

RFiD Discovery positions the system as an alternative to manual contact tracing. It said manual processes can take significant time and can miss interactions in busy hospital environments.

"Effective infection control depends on having the right information at the right time," said Arron Duddin, General Manager, RFiD Discovery. "Our automated contact tracing solution gives infection prevention teams clear visibility of interactions between patients, staff and assets, allowing them to respond quickly, reduce risk and maintain safer hospital environments."

How it works

The system uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology. Patients wear Bluetooth Low Energy wristbands. Staff carry Bluetooth Low Energy-enabled ID badges.

When people or tagged assets come into close proximity, the system automatically records the interaction. RFiD Discovery said the record includes duration, distance, time and location.

The installation uses Bluetooth Low Energy gateway readers and anchors across a hospital. RFiD Discovery said these devices capture location and proximity data and send it to a central platform.

The company said the platform provides real-time alerts, visual dashboards and detailed reports. RFiD Discovery said infection control teams can use the system after identifying an infected person. It said teams can then review who may have been exposed, where interactions occurred and which areas might need cleaning or further investigation.

Operational focus

RFiD Discovery said the product reduces the need for manual tracing. It said this reduces workload for clinical and operational staff during infection incidents.

The company also highlighted configurable risk rules. It said users can set different thresholds for proximity and duration. It said rules can vary by infectious disease and by hospital policy.

RFiD Discovery also described the product as an entry-level deployment option within a wider real-time location services approach. It said hospitals can expand deployments for additional use cases over time.

Those use cases include asset tracking and patient flow optimisation, according to the company. It also cited sterilisation tracking and automated cleaning workflows.

Integration plans

RFiD Discovery said the contact tracing system integrates with existing hospital infrastructure. It also said the system can integrate with existing systems.

The launch comes amid continued investment in digital tools for hospital operations and patient safety. Real-time location systems have seen increased adoption in healthcare to locate equipment and track workflows, alongside staff safety applications.

RFiD Discovery said it has deployments in over 200 hospitals across the UK, Europe and other markets. The company is part of Paragon ID.

RFiD Discovery said it holds Cyber Essentials certification and is GS1 UK approved.