[Automatic tracking of cleaned dental instruments by means of the RFID technique]

Abstract

For dental care professionals, the availability and cleanliness of reusable instruments is of major importance. In order to guarantee a proper reprocessing (cleaning, sterilization) of each instrument and ensure optimum safety for the patients, a single instrument traceability solution can be implemented. The RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology is the only approach that can provide a fully automated identification of instruments, and a precise monitoring throughout the reprocessing cycle. It consists in integrating a miniature electronic component (RFID tag) to each instrument able to communicate with a transmitter located at a relatively close distance and capable of uniquely identifying each element in any given container, even when closed. In 2011, a pilot project was implemented in collaboration with the Division of Dentistry (SMD) of the University of Geneva and the central sterilization of the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG). This project has demonstrated the applicability and usefulness of RFID technology for tracking reusable dental instruments. In particular, the time saved by the operators and the massive risk reduction when compared to the possible errors during the process of manual identification are two major elements that justify the implementation of an RFID-based instrument traceability solution.