title: The emergence of radiofrequency identification tags: applications in surgery.
abstract: Radiofrequency identification (RFID) is a wireless method of automatic identification. Currently, RFID tags are emerging into our environment in many aspects of our lives. Applications are being developed in a variety of fields, including health care. Aspects of surgical care will lend themselves to this approach. This technology could provide large amounts of data that not only carry the promise of improving health care, but also may have an impact on personal aspects of our daily lives. Each of us must become familiar with the risks and benefits of RFID use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. sschwaitzberg@tufts-nemc.org
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Schwaitzberg
mesh_terms: D001330:Electronic Data Processing; D004867:Equipment Design; D013502:General Surgery; D006801:Humans; D010355:Patient Identification Systems; D011846:Radio Waves