Automated Identification Technology and Information Security in Digital Hospitals

Abstract

Digital hospital‖ is a modern hospital mode that strongly relies on information technology and networks. Automated identification technology (AIT) mainly includes bar coding, radio frequency identification (RFID), and biometrics. AIT has been cutting-edge technology for supporting digital hospitals. Bar coding has been widely used in collecting data and identifying patients, personnel, and equipment in hospitals. RFID has been used in identifying and tracking patients, clinicians, equipment, and drugs in hospitals. It can improve quality of patient care by reducing medical errors and improving medication security. Biometrics has much potential in authentication and information security for digital hospitals. The characteristics and functions of digital hospitals, an introduction to the applications of AIT in digital hospitals, and a discussion related to issues in information security are presented in this paper.