Healthcare Technology Supplier Relies on RFID Readers from FEIG Electronics to Keep Patients Safe

OBID RFID systems from FEIG enable automated tracking and monitoring of medical devices for improved quality control

TUCKER, Ga. — November 5, 2013 – Today FEIG Electronics, a leading global supplier of RFID readers and antennas, announced that OBID® radio frequency identification (RFID) readers are an integral part of Mobile Aspects’ iRIScope tracking solution to automate the storage, use and reprocessing of flexible endoscopes.

The patented iRIScope solution combines advanced RFID technology with software and hardware automation to track and timestamp the entire process to clean, disinfect and reuse flexible endoscopes, helping to prevent the spread of infection. This is critical for patient care improvements in the U.S. where flexible endoscope reprocessing was cited among the Top 10 Health Technology Hazards by the ECRI Institute during the past four years.

“Standardized, easily monitored processes are vital for the proper cleaning and disinfection of reusable medical equipment such as flexible endoscopes,” said Suneil Mandava, president of Mobile Aspects. “The iRIScope solution is the only system that tracks and monitors an endoscope throughout its entire use cycle, preventing and identifying cross-contamination to reduce the risk of infection.”

In the iRIScope system, flexible endoscopes are tagged with washable RFID tags and hung in a locked cabinet for storage. Using the OBID RFID reader from FEIG, a healthcare worker scans their ID badge and the patient barcode to open the cabinet and remove a clean scope. RFID sensors in the cabinet identify which scope was removed, while software timestamps and documents the scope’s removal, along with details about the individual medical procedure. After the procedure, the scope is meticulously cleaned and reprocessed before being returned to the iRIScope cabinet.

“The use of RFID technology to monitor these processes in the iRIScope solution enables care providers to automate compliance with reprocessing protocols while increasing patient safety,” said Klaus Schoeke, national sales director, FEIG Electronics. “FEIG Electronics is a reliable and logical partner for the iRIScope solution, delivering leading rfid readers for healthcare developed through 35 years of experience.

Healthcare providers can access detailed electronic reporting on each of the flexible endoscopes processed in the iRIScope system. If a breach in protocol compliance should occur, the system will send an alert to designated users, and the cabinet housing the breached scope turns red and is automatically locked.

About Feig Electronics

FEIG Electronics, headquartered in Germany, is a worldwide leader in RFID reader systems with more than 35 years of industry experience. As an OEM supplier to system integrators and resellers, the company has to date sold well over 1 million RFID readers, delivering products that demonstrate 99.99 percent reliability. FEIG Electronics is one of the few companies to offer both readers and antennas for all three frequency ranges with passive transponder technology: LF (125 kHz), HF (13.56 MHz) and UHF (860-960 MHz).

OBID RFID reader systems from FEIG were developed according to international standards in close cooperation with leading manufacturers of transponder chips, supporting all major types of transponder tags. FEIG Electronics delivers both standard and customized solutions. For more information, visit: http://www.feig-electronics.com/