Novel technique radio frequency identification (RFID) based to manage patient flow in a radiotherapy department

As the cost of health structure management increases continuously, new techniques for costs reduction and systems optimization are strongly required. Use of information and communication technologies (ICT), popular in other environment, can expand and ameliorate the capabilities of the management structures. The combined use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies and medical records management system may significantly improve the overall efficiency of the health structures organization. In this paper we describe our preliminary experience in using RFID locating system (RLS) coupled to a novel electronic medical records archiving and retrieving system in a Radiotherapy Department of an Academic Institution. The system implementation is described.