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The COVID-19 vaccine offers a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, but its stringent storage and usage requirements are adding an extra layer of complexity to the goal of inoculating the public. News stories abound regarding the lucky individuals who happened to be grocery shopping or stuck in traffic, and were randomly offered a vaccine when excess quantities were on the verge of expiration. Adding to the complexity are the reporting requirements: Every vaccine must be documented and reported to area health  administrators within 24 hours of use.

RFID provides a way to simplify the complex vaccine delivery system.

RFID’s strengths of accuracy and efficiency have been profitably applied in many industry sectors, from manufacturing to logistics, from healthcare to retail. Perhaps none of its applications are more vital than helping get COVID vaccines into arms.

One hospital in Pennsylvania has extended its pharmaceutical RFID system to include tracking the COVID vaccine from the time it is received from the manufacturer, to the time it is administered to patients. When vaccine vials are removed from their RFID-tagged shipping boxes in the freezer, they receive a pre-printed RFID label that includes the date and time of removal as well as the manufacturer lot number.

From the freezer, the vials are placed in the hospital pharmacy’s refrigerator, and the “use-by” clock begins ticking. An RFID reader in the refrigerator records each vial as it enters, and records it again as it leaves the refrigerator and moves to the clinic for inoculation. Any vials remaining at the end of the day are recorded when they are returned to the pharmacy refrigerator. More important, their time-based viability is updated.

This workflow ensures that vaccine vials are used in order of their removal from the freezer, so no dose is injected after its use-by time. Additionally, the RFID system creates an automated digital record which is output for the CDC-mandated documentation and reporting. The clinic’s staff is relieved of any manual record-keeping and reporting tasks. Their time is preserved for the essential work of administering vaccines.

RFID technology makes it possible for this hospital to support the health of the community. Other RFID applications can make your business operations healthy. Speak to an RFID expert if you’re looking for ways to boost your operational efficiencies.

 

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