Authors (including presenting author) :
Tsang MP (1), Cheuk HW (1), Chung PH (1), Lau FO (1)
Affiliation :
Physiotherapy Department, Tai Po Hospital
Introduction :
Similar to every other department in hospitals, Physiotherapy department in TPH have a tremendous amount of inventory. The management of this inventory is paramount to smooth operation. Previously, supporting staffs manually check each item one by one base on hardcopy print out. It is time-consuming and is in higher risk of human error.
Advanced development of ready-to-use inventory management system (e.g. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)) is useful technology to improve the inventory management for higher efficiency and accuracy. Rather than having to individually scan each item one by one, RFID, uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects, provides the ability to scan this inventory in bulk. It also allows for searching and tracking of objects.
RFID inventory management system, as an innovative system is welcomed to improve office automation and put one more step forward towards smart department in PT department in TPH.
Objectives :
To explore the feasibility of implementing RFID Inventory Management System in physiotherapy department of TPH.
To install the RFID Inventory Management System in PT department of TPH to digitize:
• New asset registration
• RFID Stock-taking
• Location identification
• Inventory reporting
• Asset information retrieval
• Asset movement tracking
To improve office automation by shifting the inventory management system and changing the stock-taking practice, for higher efficiency, accuracy and sustainability
Methodology :
Exploration Phase (1-month)(Completed)
- Review department existing inventory management system and manual on stock control.
- Explore commercially available RFID inventory management system in markets.
Transformation Phase (5-month)(Completed)
- Identify items to be covered in the RFID inventory management system, which are consistent with department operational practice and needs.
- Identify and tackle potential barriers in using the RFID inventory management system.
Trial Run Phase (6-month)(Completed)
- Introduce and deploy the RFID systems in 1 team.
- Engage staff via Induction Sessions. Both conventional and new systems are parallelly implemented for operational backup.
- Summarize experience gained in the trial run phase.
Enhancement Phase (6-month)(In progress)
- Identify the limitations of the existing RFID inventory management system
- Work out possible enhancement plan for the system.
- Formulate educational materials and identify workflow for all department staff.
Full Implementation Phase (Pending)
- Enroll to whole department.
Result & Outcome :
Expected outcome
- Replace the traditional inventory management system with the RFID inventory management system.
- Transform the practice of stock taking from by checking manually to through RFID scanning.
- Replace the traditional printed inventory stock-take report with easily accessible color-guided e-report.
- Shortened time needed for stock-taking and more accurate stock-take result.
Results
-Pending
