An RFID network design methodology for asset tracking in healthcare

The purpose of this research is to provide decision makers with a methodology to optimize the design of a medical-asset tracking system constrained by a limited number of RFID readers. Using an enhanced formulation of the maximal covering location problem along with a new criticality index analysis metric (derived from the severity, frequency and dwell time of the critical medical assets) the optimal placement of the limited number of RFID readers is determined. The proposed methodology is implemented in a healthcare facility where the RFID system coverage has improved by 72% compared to the currently utilized expert/heuristic-based placement strategy.