Electromagnetic Characterization of UHF-RFID Fixed Reader in Healthcare Centers Related to the Personal and Labor Health

Abstract

Hospitals and healthcare centers are experiencing a remarkable implementation of new systems based on wireless communications technologies. Many of these systems provide location services and identi cation of materials, instrumentation and even patients, which promotes the increase of the quality and the ef ciency of healthcare. A tracking system based on short-range radio frequency, UHFRFID is evaluated. This system helps with location of orthopedic prosthesis according to the criteria and requirements of a speci c hospital environment. It is characterized the in uence of UHF-RFID system in the electromagnetic environment by measuring the parameters and characteristics of the emission levels. The results of the assessment are represented through 2D contour maps and simulations have been performed by means of an in-house 3D-RL algorithm. The proposed graph aims to provide a methodology of studying the electromagnetic environments and the evaluation of the safety conditions of workers, patients, and people in general. E eld exposure levels due to the RFID localization system were analyzed in order to verify regulations concerning the safety of patients and the general public in the labor and healthcare elds. Localized electromagnetic eld exposure at levels which may cause electromagnetic hazards in the specic healthcare environment have been found and potentially excessive exposure to EMF emitted by UHF RFID devices may apply to patients or bystanders. In all cases, insuf cient electromagnetic immunity of electronic devices (including AIMD and other medical devices) should be considered and the electromagnetic hazards may be limited also by relevant preventive measures, as also shown in this paper, together with the principles of an in-situ evaluation of electromagnetic hazards near the UHF-RFID devices.