[10/15/08]
AIM Global, the trade association
recognized as the worldwide authority on automatic
identification and mobility, announced that its
RFID Experts Group (REG) will develop a definitive
set of test protocols for testing of RF emitters
to ensure a benign effect in a healthcare setting.
Three Test Protocol suites have been identified
and will look at:
RF emissions and the susceptibility of medical
devices (implantables and wearables)
RF emissions and clinical instrument
susceptibility
The effects of RF on pharmaceuticals,
biologics, blood products, human physiology,
etc.
The Test Protocols initially will
focus on the 11 different ISO/IEC standards for
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and RTLS
(Real Time Locating Systems) and will also explore
the applicability of IEEE 802.11. Once these Test
Protocols are developed, they will be submitted to
the FDA for comment and approval. Once approved,
the Test Protocols for Certification for
Healthcare Use will be available for use by others
through licensing with the Test Protocol
developers. License fees from AIM will be
available at a lower rate for AIM
members.
Development of the Test Protocols
will involve collaboration with three leading
universities in the field of RFID: Georgia Tech,
the University of Pittsburgh, and the University
of Texas at Arlington.
It is the
organization's belief that stakeholders in Radio
Frequency and the healthcare community need more
definitive, reproducible measures that can be
conducted responsibly by trusted third parties.
The universities conducting the testing will work
with the equipment manufacturers and, if there are
negative results, assist in resolving issues
between interference and susceptibility. This is
not an effort to take a snapshot in time, but to
create an environment where RF emitters can be
trusted as benign in a healthcare
setting.
Organizations interested in
contributing are invited to contact the AIM office
at +1 724 934 4470 x108 or by email to REG
Chairperson, Craig Harmon at
craig.harmon@qed.org.
About AIM
Global
AIM Global is the industry
association and worldwide authority on automatic
identification and data collection technologies.
AIM members are providers and users of
technologies, systems, and services that capture,
manage, and integrate accurate data into larger
information systems. Serving members in 43
countries for 35 years, the association has
developed key technical specifications and
guidelines that support the use of automatic
identification technologies.
AIM Global
actively supports the development of AIDC
standards through its own Technical Symbology
Committee (TSC), North American and Global
Standards Advisory Groups, and RFID Experts Group
(REG) as well as through participation at the
industry, national (ANSI) and international (ISO)
levels. AIM Global has an active educational
focus, providing accurate and unbiased information
on data collection technology.
As part of
its educational outreach, AIM Global publishes
"RFID Connections" and "AIM Connections" the
industry's oldest and most respected e-newsletters
on RFID and automatic data collection.
For
more information about AIM Global and its members
and services, please visit http://www.aimglobal.org/ or http://www.rfid.org/.
About
the RFID Experts Group (REG)
The REG is
a committee of AIM Global and is responsible for
addressing the standards and issues of RFID. The
REG was founded in 2004 and is currently comprised
of over 40 organizations from the U.S., Europe,
and Asia. The REG has authored four ISO Technical
Reports (on Security, Recycling, ISO/IEC 18000-6C
Labeling, and installation of ISO/IEC 18000-6C
reading systems.)
The committee has also
submitted The RFID Emblem (ISO/IEC 29160) as an
ISO standard to assist in consumer notification of
RFID and to assist in operational use of the
technology.
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