Development of an RFID-Based Patient Identification System for Special Care Environments

This paper describes the development of an innovative patient identification and monitoring system based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, designed specifically for special care settings such as the Pequeno Cotolengo Healthcare Complex. The system aims to improve security, privacy, and efficiency in the management of patients patients requiring different levels of care. The fundamentals of RFID technology, system components, software architecture, and the technical specifications of each hardware element—such as the battery, voltage converter modules, RDM6300 RFID reader, HC-05 Bluetooth module, and RFID card—are presented. Additionally, the software architecture includes the use of XAMPP for the MySQL database and a web interface for data management, and MIT App Inventor for mobile application development. A key feature of the project is the integration of RFID technology into clothing, demonstrated by a prototype T-shirt with a hidden pocket for the RFID card, ensuring discretion and comfort. The preliminary results (without patient testing) demonstrate the viability and effectiveness of the proposed solution in accurately and discreetly identifying patients, contributing to a safer and more controlled care environment.