3M, Mayo Clinic Advance RFID In Health Care

January 3, 2007 – 3M and Mayo Clinic announced that they have demonstrated a successful pilot program with the installation of a state-of-the-art RFID system in Mayo Clinic's endoscopy surgical suites, where patient tissue samples are collected. 3M researchers visited Mayo Clinic's facilities to learn about their processes and systems requirements and established a solution that worked in Mayo Clinic's operations for specimen management.

Utilizing 3M Track and Trace Technology, this RFID system enhances Mayo Clinic's ability to manage specimen and tissue samples from the collection stage to the pathology laboratory. Collecting and analyzing patient tissue is a crucial medical procedure.

Mayo Clinic continues to take a leadership role in health care's effort focused on patient safety and care. Multiple 3M technologies were brought forward during the five-month pilot project at Mayo Clinic. Results demonstrated quantifiable operational efficiencies in the specimen-management process, accurate communication of data, and verification of information. Expansion of the Track and Trace system within the endoscopy practice will take place in planned, controlled phases. 3M and Mayo Clinic expect this rollout to be completed in early 2007.

"3M's solution benefits our patients by ensuring efficient and accurate transfer of collected specimen data to our pathologists, who ultimately analyze and diagnose these important specimens," said Schuyler Sanderson, M.D. gastrointestinal and liver pathologist. "Putting the needs of the patient first and striving to optimize patient safety are utmost in the work we do."

The system is a major application comprising RFID tags, RFID readers, software applications and system-integration technologies. 3M's Track and Trace solution is at the forefront of innovative, enabling technologies developed to address the identification, location, and management needs surrounding high-value assets in health care.

"Our focus was to provide an enabling technology and system solution that would be in keeping with Mayo Clinic's stature and leadership in medicine," said Michael Hansberry, senior business development manager for 3M Track and Trace Solutions. "By combining 3M's expertise in RFID, user-centered software application development and systems integration, we did just that."

"This pilot has produced successful results, and we see exciting possibilities in numerous health care-related areas," noted Lem Amen, vice president, 3M Track and Trace Solutions.

3M Track and Trace Solutions is implementing a broad range of applications as diverse as protecting the integrity of prescription drugs while they are in the supply chain, locating and optimizing cathodes in mining facilities, and tracking aircraft parts through the workflow process.

For more information, visit www.3M.com