AXCESS International Adds Portable RFID Reader to Its ActiveTag Line
AXCESS International Inc., a leading provider of Active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, announced today the addition of a portable RFID reader to its ActiveTag product line. The reader interrogates battery powered "active" tags, providing walk-around automatic electronic inventory of assets, personnel, patients, and vehicles. Creative Healthcare, Inc., a provider of technologically advanced information system solutions for community hospitals, will be the first to introduce automatic patient identification using active RFID. Using the ActiveTag patient tag in conjunction with the portable reader, Creative Healthcare can better ensure patients are properly identified for treatments and medications.
AXCESS' portable reader brings convenience and efficiency to inventorying multiple items, such as desktop computers, printers, and other IT assets, as well as high-value items such as pharmaceuticals, vehicles, trucks and trailers. Automatic reads of personnel, students, prisoners, or patients can also be obtained when combined with the ActiveTag credential or wristband tag.
"AXCESS is committed to applying active RFID wherever savings and process improvements can accrue to the benefit of the customer and their end user. The ability to automatically identify and inventory high-value items using portable readers is an exciting solution for multiple industries," commented Allan Griebenow, President and CEO. "Tagging patients is an ideal application for AXCESS' portable reader because identification can be done automatically from a distance without disturbing the patient, ensuring the highest standard of healthcare is delivered and helping to minimize the occurrence of costly and potentially harmful mistakes associated with incorrect medication and treatment being dispensed."
"Our goal is to enhance the accuracy of patient identification and the corresponding treatment and medication. Active RFID is the best solution because of the flexibility of the system," commented Steve Everest, President and CEO of Creative Healthcare Inc. "We tried integrating other solutions into our MedGenix Healthcare Information System, such as barcode and passive RFID, but they were too limiting."
Patient tags are about the size of a watch and are re-usable. The tags use existing disposable hospital bands so the system seamlessly integrates into current hospital operations. The reader activates tags and receives their ID from a range of 5 to 10 feet. Connected to a laptop computer, data is then immediately processed locally. Since the unit is completely portable, infrastructure costs can be minimized by eliminating the need to install stationary readers throughout the facility solely for inventory purposes. Integrated with the OnlineSupervisor(TM) middleware and software application, the reader transmits data into the SQL database to be used to interface with existing applications or stand alone for application-specific activity logs and reports.
AXCESS' patented ActiveTag RFID product uses small, battery powered tags (generically called "active" tags) that when automatically activated, transmit a wireless message typically 30 to 100 feet to hidden palm size receivers. The receivers are connected via an industry standard interface to existing security alarm equipment or networked on the existing corporate network. Optionally, the tag system can also be used to trigger security video recording and live remote video transmission. The tags are used for a variety of security applications including automatic personnel access to facilities, automatic vehicle access to parking areas and yards, corporate asset tracking and protection, as well as special purpose sensing. Automatic email alerting and paging is offered for rapid response to security incidents.
