Jan 17,2007_Technology which evolved from Soviet spy listening devices could be used to track patients at a new superhospital near Coventry, England.

High-tech equipment has been fitted all over University Hospital, at Walsgrave, to enable the use of devices normally used to track goods and equipment.

The so-called RFID chips -- radio frequency identity chips -- would be inserted into the plastic wristband name tags that in-patients usually wear.

They could even be linked to patients' medical records.

Wristband Application
The hospital is thought to be the first in England to be looking at it. Hospitals in Germany and the Far East have already started trials, and in America the Food and Drug Administration  has even approved the practice of injecting the RFID chips directly into patients.

That's not what will happen in Coventry.

University Hospital boss David Roberts revealed the plans when talking to dignitaries at a dinner. He said patients would wear the devices in wristbands.

Already in Passports, Transport Cards
A spokesperson for the hospital later said plans were at an early stage and it hadn't been decided exactly how the tracking system would be used.

She said: "We have only just started determining how we will use the technology and for what purpose."

The precursor of RFID chips was a listening device invented by Russians in 1946. RFID chips are used in some British passports, by firms to track goods and in London Transport's "Oyster" cards. 

source:  www.technewsworld.com