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Use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags in Bedside Monitoring of Endotracheal Tube Position

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Abstract

Improper positioning of the endotracheal tube during intubation poses a serious health risk to patients. In one prospective study of 219 critically ill patients, 14% required endotracheal tube repositioning after intubation [Brunel et al. Chest 1989; 96: 1043–1045] While a variety of techniques are used to confirm proper tube placement, a chest X-ray is usually employed for definitive verification. Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, in which an RFID reader emits and receives a signal from an RFID tag, may be useful in evaluating endotracheal tube position. RFID technology has already been approved for use in humans as a safe and effective tool in a variety of applications. The use of handheld RFID detectors and RFID tag-labeled endotracheal tubes could allow for easy and accurate bedside monitoring of endotracheal tube position, once initial proper placement is confirmed.

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Correspondence to Joshua Reicher.

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Reicher D, Reicher J,Reicher M. Use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags in bedside monitoring of endotracheal tube position.

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Reicher, J., Reicher, D. & Reicher, M. Use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags in Bedside Monitoring of Endotracheal Tube Position. J Clin Monit Comput 21, 155–158 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10877-007-9069-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10877-007-9069-9

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