RAIN RFID in Healthcare and What Antenna to Use

By Times 7, Aug 14, 2024

Enhancing Healthcare with Times-7's Precision RFID Antennas 

The adoption of RFID technology, particularly in the healthcare sector, is on the rise, transforming it into an invaluable asset for healthcare organizations. 

In healthcare, every second is critical, and having immediate access to essential equipment can be a matter of life and death. A recent medical survey revealed that one in three nurses spends an hour or more per shift searching for medical equipment. When multiplied across the entire nursing staff, the amount of time lost daily is staggering. 

RAIN RFID provides a powerful solution. Times-7 antennas have been utilized globally to monitor crucial items such as surgical instruments and essential inventory as well as blood transfusions, organs, and pharmaceutical vaccines, and even patient tracking. 

The healthcare sector is increasingly adopting RAIN RFID technology to enhance patient care, safety, and operational efficiency. Times-7, with its advanced RFID antenna solutions, plays a pivotal role in these implementations. In this blog, we explore two real-world case studies that highlight how Times-7's antennas have been instrumental in successful RFID deployments in healthcare environments.

Case Study 1: Ensuring patient visibility and safety in a nursing home 

A nursing home specializing in dementia care faced the critical challenge of ensuring patients' safety while maintaining their dignity and freedom. To address this, the facility implemented a RAIN RFID system designed to enhance patient visibility and prevent unauthorized exits. 

Each patient and caretaker were equipped with a wristband containing a RAIN RFID tag. The doors of the facility were fitted with Times-7’s A5060 antenna, which played a crucial role in this solution. The antenna was strategically installed over doorways, creating a controlled read zone. The system was configured so that doors would only open when a patient approached with a caretaker, preventing patients from wandering off unattended. 

Why was the A5060 antenna used? 

The A5060 is a multi-patch antenna known for its powerful and narrow beam, making it ideal for applications requiring precise read zones. Its high gain ensures full coverage from ceiling to floor, while its curtain-like beam effectively minimizes stray reads. Furthermore, the A5060 was customized to fit seamlessly into the nursing home’s ceiling tiles, allowing for a dust-free and non-intrusive installation process that did not disrupt daily operations. 

Case Study 2: Reliable tools for better dental care 

In dental care, the reliability and readiness of medical tools are paramount. A company that supplies dentists with critical tools needed a way to track the usage of commodity parts, which require replacement after a certain number of uses. The challenge was to implement a tracking solution that wouldn’t disrupt the dental workflow. 

The solution was to embed a small, low-gain PCB antenna, designed by Times-7, into the dental tools. Each time a dentist used a tool and attached a commodity part with an RFID tag, the system automatically recorded the usage. When a part reached its usage limit, the system would trigger a restock notification, ensuring that the dental tools were always in optimal condition. 

Why was a low-gain PCB antenna used? 

The antenna needed to be compact enough to fit within the dental tools while providing sufficient read distance to avoid detecting nearby tags. Times-7 developed a custom low-gain PCB antenna that met these specific requirements, ensuring accurate tracking without interference. 

Need more information?  

From KanBan systems to monitoring pharmaceutical storage, the potential applications of RAIN RFID in healthcare are vast. Times-7 offers a range of antennas designed to meet the unique needs of this sector. For assistance in selecting the right antenna for your healthcare application, please contact us at sales@times-7.com.