Case Study
Rigshospitalet's RFID trial unlocks major time and cost savings
Client
Rigshospitalet, Denmark
Description
As Denmark’s largest and most specialized hospital, Rigshospitalet handles thousands of complex surgeries every year. The hospital’s reliance on manual barcode scanning for instrument tracking was proving inefficient—requiring staff to scan each instrument individually, slowing down workflows and increasing operational costs.
To improve efficiency and accuracy, Rigshospitalet conducted an 18-month pilot study with Caretag, testing an RFID-based tracking system to assess its impact on instrument traceability, error reduction, and workflow optimization.
Challenges
Time-consuming instrument handling
Each surgery requires up to 400 instruments, making manual tracking a slow and error-prone process. With barcode scanning, every instrument had to be scanned individually, extending tray assembly times.
Increased risk of errors
Missing instruments or incorrect tray contents caused disruptions, leading to surgical delays and potential patient safety risks.
High labor costs
Hospital staffing accounts for over 50% of total operating costs, with significant time spent on manual tracking.
Time wasted searching for missing instruments or verifying tray accuracy increased operational expenses.
Results
31,000 hours saved annually
Dr. Henrik Eriksen, project director for the RFID trial, analyzed the trial results and estimated that at the hospital’s volume of approximately 75,000 surgeries per year, the RFID system could save around 31,000 hours annually. RFID readers scanned entire trays in seconds, eliminating the need for individual barcode scans and significantly reducing OR preparation time.
Improved patient safety
Automated tracking reduced human error in instrument verification, ensuring every instrument was accounted for.
Enhanced traceability & infection control
RFID provided real-time visibility into instrument sterilization history, ensuring compliance with infection control protocols and reducing risks.
Operational efficiency & cost savings
With RFID automating tracking and verification, hospital staff could focus on more critical tasks—leading to optimized workflows and better resource allocation.
Proven RFID durability
The study confirmed that Caretag’s high-quality RFID solution withstood over 1,000 sterilization cycles without impacting instrument balance or usability.
Conclusion
The successful RFID pilot at Rigshospitalet demonstrated how automated instrument tracking can revolutionize hospital efficiency. With faster, more accurate tracking, hospitals can save thousands of hours, improve patient safety, and reduce operational costs.