Tracking surgical implements with integrated circuits
A system and method of tracking medical products provides for associating a group of medical products with a group location based on a group radio frequency identification (RF ID) device signal, where the group includes a first unit a second unit. The first unit is associated with a first remote location based on a first unit RE ID device signal. The method further provides for associating the second unit with a second remote location based on a second unit RE ID device signal. The signals uniquely identify the units and the group.
1. An assembly of medical products, the assembly comprising:
a first unit of a medical product including an integral first unit radio frequency identification (RF ID) device, the first unit RF ID device uniquely identifying the medical product and the first unit;
a second unit of the medical product having an integral second unit RF ID device, the second unit RF ID device uniquely identifying the medical product and the second unit;
a first supplemental RF ID device removably attached to the first unit, the first supplemental RF ID device uniquely identifying the first unit; and
a second supplemental RF ID device removably attached to the second unit, the second supplemental RF ID device uniquely identifying the second unit.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first and second supplemental RF ID devices are configured to be reattached to another item.
3. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the other item is at least one of a medical container, a patient chart, an IV or injection apparatus, and a patient bracelet.
4. An assembly of medical products, the assembly comprising:
a first unit of a medical product including a first unit radio frequency identification (RE ID) device, the first unit RF ID device uniquely identifying the medical product and the first unit;
a second unit of the medical product having a second unit RF ID device, the second unit RF ID device uniquely identifying the medical product and the second unit;
a first supplemental RF ID device removably attached to the first unit, the first supplemental RF ID device uniquely identifying the first unit and configured to be reattached to another medical product or unit; and
a second supplemental RF ID device removably attached to the second unit, the second supplemental RF ID device uniquely identifying the second unit and configured to be reattached to another item.
5. The assembly of medical products of claim 4 , wherein the other item includes at least one of a medical container, a patient chart, an IV or injection apparatus, and a patient bracelet.
6. The assembly of medical products of claim 4 , wherein the first unit RF ID device is integral with the first unit and the second unit RF ID device is integral with the second unit.
7. A tagged medical product, comprising:
an integral unit radio frequency identification (RF ID) device, the integral unit RF ID device uniquely identifying the medical product;
a removable unit radio frequency identification (RF ID) device, the removable unit RE ID device uniquely identifying the medical product and configured to be reattachable to another item.
8. The tagged medical product of claim 7 , wherein the other item is at least one of a medical container, a patient chart, an IV or injection apparatus, and a patient bracelet.