Incorporating state-of-the-art technology has transformed information management and patient care in the ever-changing healthcare field. The use of radio-frequency identification (RFID) implants or “smart cards” to improve the precision and effectiveness of medical record-keeping is one such innovation that is now being examined. Smart cards or RFID implants are a paradigm change in healthcare delivery that provide previously unheard-of chances to reduce clinical mistakes, expedite patient identification, and enhance treatment results. A Grand View Research analysis projects that the worldwide healthcare RFID market is expected to witness a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8% from 2023 to 2030, driven by rising patient safety and data security concerns and rising demand for innovative healthcare solutions. Because RFID technology may improve inventory management, patient experience, and operational efficiency, it is becoming increasingly popular in healthcare settings.
Count the Benefits and Drawbacks:
There are benefits and limitations to devices implantable with RFID and smartcards. Through the efficient link that RFID technology provides with electronic health record (EHR) systems, patient information is readily accessible when a patient visits a healthcare facility. This goes along with accurate identification, which leads to reduced medical errors and better patient safety. Consecutively, the transfer of sensitive medical data has resulted in problems related to privacy and security (Keshta & Odeh, 2021). A significant limitation is that personal data is still vulnerable to misuse, and unauthorized access to such information is still possible.
Smartcards present a portable storage system that can be widely used to store medical information. Besides, they enable patients to transport their health records securely, facilitating treatment continuity in several healthcare settings. It further solidifies that smartcards allow people to take control of their health data and actively participate in decision-making processes. Despite this, however, several obstacles must be addressed before widespread adoption is possible. The challenges are information breaches, lost or stolen cards, and interoperability with the old systems.
Evaluate the Social, Legal, and Ethical Consequences:
Implementing radio frequency identification (RFID) or smartcard technology results in several ethical, legal, and social issues that can be intricate (Kineber et al., 2023). From a moral perspective, individuals’ autonomy and privacy must be protected; this should be done through informed consent with strict confidentiality measures. Data protection laws and regulations should be respected to protect patients’ rights and minimize the possibility of litigation for noncompliance, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States (Edemekong et al., 2022). Social disparity is a factor that gives rise to poor distribution of healthcare; disparity in socioeconomic status between groups contributing to the same burden of disease and disability is also the difference in access to technology and digital literacy, which requires a fair distribution of healthcare and inclusive design techniques.
Some categories of people, especially people living with cognitive disabilities, patients with chronic diseases, or even those who have a complex history of diseases, stand to gain a lot from the use of RFID or smartcard technology. Using such technologies is an essential source for impoverished people; they deliver swift medication information and improve medication coordination. However, some issues should be outlined to manage the extra information and ensure the validity and reliability of the data.
Analyze the Social, Legal, and Ethical Repercussions:
Adopting radio frequency identification (RFID) or smartcard technology in healthcare facilities should be prioritized with well-planned mechanisms and stringent regulations (Pawar, 2024). In obtaining and revising patient data, healthcare institutions need to have well-defined procedures where proper care is given to data integrity and data confidentiality is observed. Training programs and educational materials have to be offered to both patients and healthcare workers to promote the correct application of these technologies and raise a sense of knowledge about these technologies.
Regarding logistics, healthcare professionals can access patient information through RFID or Smartcard devices using secure authentication procedures and integrated electronic health record systems. It should inherently be the patient’s competency to access and analyze their medical information, with the realization that such abilities promote transparency and interactive decision-making. However, to protect patients’ privacy, a lot of sensitive data, for instance, genetic test results or mental diagnoses, is restricted.
Device security procedures, data encryption, and responder actions should form part of the policies for protecting patients with either RFID or Smartcard implanted in their bodies. It is equally essential to undertake periodic compliance assessments and audits to identify and eradicate risks before they become operational.
Conclusion and Recommendation:
Application of radio frequency identification (RFID) or smartcard technological advances promise integration between the various healthcare systems and the availability of health information transference across the portability spectrum. On the other hand, though, speaking about establishing future standards and rules, consideration of relevant risks and rewards is crucial. Although those technologies may offer new solutions to longstanding issues in patient safety and data management, continuous attention and adjustment are still needed to address the dynamic ethical, legal, and social issues associated with these problems. Therefore, further research and initial pilot testing of RFID or smartcard deployment to support health care. Furthermore, strict regulatory frameworks should be implemented, and all stakeholders should be engaged to ensure these technologies’ ethical and fair adoption.
Reference
Edemekong, P. F., Haydel, M. J., & Annamaraju, P. (2022, February 3). Health insurance portability and accountability act (HIPAA). Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500019/
Keshta, I., & Odeh, A. (2021). Security and privacy of electronic health records: Concerns and challenges. Egyptian Informatics Journal, 22(2), 177–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eij.2020.07.003
Kineber, A. F., Oke, A. E., Elseknidy, M., Hamed, M. M., & Kayode, F. S. (2023). Barriers to Implementing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for Sustainable Building in a Developing Economy. Sustainability, 15(1), 825. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010825
Pawar, P. (2024, January 12). RFID in Healthcare – Benefits & Applications 2024. Alpha. https://www.aalpha.net/blog/rfid-in-healthcare-benefits-and-applications/
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