RFID and NFC in healthcare: Safety of hospitals medication care

Use of information technology has become commonplace in healthcare. In an ideal world a patient always gets first class treatment and everything goes smoothly and as planned. Applications of information technology are created to help the hospital staff achieve this. However, hospital staff is often working under a heavy workload and minimal workforce. This may contribute to human error, for example, in medication that may have adverse effects on patientpsilas treatment.In this paper we will demonstrate how to improve patientpsilas safety in healthcare and especially in medication care by using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and NFC (Near Field Communication) technologies. We will concentrate on the technologies itself and how they could be used in different parts of healthcare. Earlier research results concerning this area are also evaluated.