Monongahela (Pa.) Valley Hospital will deploy radio frequency identification-based software and technology from Patient Care Technology Systems, Aliso Viejo, Calif., to better manage patients and equipment in its emergency room. The 253-bed hospital will use the vendor's Web-based EDTracker system, designed to help health care organizations locate patients and supplies via badges using RFID technology. Care status and location data from the badges is transmitted in real time via RFID and displayed on an electronic tracking board. The board can be viewed on a variety of hardware, including desktop PCs or PDAs running the Windows Mobile operating system. Text messages containing badge location also can be sent to mobile phones. The EDTracker software integrates with the vendor's Amelior ED emergency department information system, as well as various other lab, radiology, scheduling and nurse call systems.
