RFID boosts telemedicine

Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a system that employs radio-frequency identification (RFID) sensors to track the movements of the body to monitor activity levels, reports RFID Journal.

These sensors show how the technology can help doctors monitor at-home patients remotely, thereby reducing costs and improving care.

Many healthcare analysts predict that telemedicine - delivering healthcare remotely - will become more important as populations age in Western countries and Japan.

RF Technologies, a provider of RFID monitoring systems and healthcare security solutions, has rolled out Smart Sense, a transmitter designed to prevent infant abductions, states RFID News.

RFID technology helps prevent both infant abductions and unauthorised exits from hospital emergency rooms.

The Smart Sense transmitter alerts staff members if a band is loose, tampered with or has been removed from the infant.

RFID technology is gaining popularity among retailers, consumer goods and customer service markets, says TMCnet.

According to IDTechEx's report 'RFID forecasts, players, opportunities 2011 to 2021', the active RFID sector will dominate the $5.63 billion global RFID market revenue.

The RFID market is expected to grow five times over the next 10 years and three billion apparel tags being supplied in 2015 is an example for the revenue boost.