New approach for minimizing human errors in hospital operating rooms by using RFID alerting systems

Abstract

Patient safety is an increasing concern in health care due to the fact the increasing number of medical errors. Most fatal medical errors happen in hospital operating rooms. This research proposes a unique approach that decreases medical errors in hospital operating rooms using an RFID-based technology to alert doctors and nurses when the wrong tool enters to the operating area, via text message. This research focuses on healthcare systems, specifically operation rooms at the hospitals and provides an approach to increase the reliability of patients by using an RFID alerting system. By applying Design For Six Sigma (DFSSR) methodology this research proposes a unique approach that decreases medical errors in hospital operating rooms using an RFID-based technology to alert doctors and nurses when the wrong tool enters to the operating area.