Transforming Hospital Clínic de Barcelona Logistics through RFID: An In-Depth Study of Implementation, Validation and Economic Assessment

Abstract

fficient supply chain management plays a critical role in intrahospital logistics. Radiofrequency identification (RFID) technology has emerged as a powerful tool to optimize the supply chain across multiple industries, including healthcare. Its application in hospitals is rapidly expanding due to its ability to automate inventory tracking, reduce human error, and improve data accuracy. This final degree project is framed within the context of the RFID implementation project at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (HCB), where the technology has been deployed in surgical and interventional areas. The system includes RFID tagging of high-value consumables, prostheses, and medical devices; with fixed RFID readers installed throughout operating rooms, storage areas, and waste disposal zones, and corridors. Implementing RFID in a complex hospital environment like HCB presents considerable logistical and technical challenges. As part of this thesis, I actively contributed to the implementation process. One of the main contributions was the successful validation of the shielding paint in adjacent rooms, which effectively eliminated signal interference. Moreover, a material compatibility study identified specific packaging types that interfered with radiofrequency signal propagation, allowing for corrective measures. Although the system is still in the final phase of implementation, early results are promising. The integrated RFID solution has demonstrated robust performance, significantly reducing non-value time spent by clinical staff on logistical tasks. An economic analysis conducted in one of the pilot sites showed a favourable return on investment (ROI), further supporting the system’s viability and potential scalability across the hospital.