Seamless Healthcare System for the Elderly Based on RFID Technology

Lan Mu¹, Xiaodan Han¹, Yang Chen¹, Xinzheng Jin^2*

¹Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
²Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Center for Health Information Resource, Wuhan, China.

DOI: 10.4236/iim.2014.65024                

Abstract

Purpose: To design a seamless healthcare system to provide the elderly in the community of Wuhan city with active, real-time and seamless health services. Method: All of the health services for the elderly in the community of Wuhan city, such as chronic disease management, first aid, and diagnosis have been systematically integrated based on the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology combined with the existing high-tech, such as nano-sensor, network, information system technology, wireless technology, Bluetooth and Area Position System (APS) positioning. Results: The system has been constructed and put into use, initially achieving seamless health services for the elderly. The majority of both the elderly and healthcare workers are satisfied with the system. Conclusion: The study initially proposes the use of RFID technology to plan and design the elderly healthcare system, and has successfully carried the system out and got positive outcomes. It provides a new direction in the relevant research fields.

Keywords

RFID, The Elderly, Health Services, Seamless Healthcare System

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	National Bureau of Statistics of China (2013) World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, New York.
[2]	National Bureau of Statistics of China (2012) Statistical Communiqué of the People’s Republic of China on the 2012 National Economic and Social Development. National Bureau of Statistics of China, Beijing. http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/StatisticalCommuniqu/201302/t20130222_61455.html
[3]	Zhang, Z.B. (2007) The Application of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in Healthcare Industry. Medical Equipment, 1, 3-5.