A radio frequency identification (RFID) workstation reader for
RFID-enabled surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays and a
method of using a RFID workstation reader to read RFID-enabled surgical
instruments and surgical instrument trays. The method, apparatus, and
system enable individual instruments or a surgical instrument tray
containing several surgical instruments to be quickly and efficiently
inventoried and tracked. An instrument or instrument tray is placed on
the workstation reader. An RF field generated by a plurality of antennae,
causes RFID tags embedded in or attached to the instrument or instrument
tray to emit a signal containing item specific identification information
stored in the tags. The information is received by a control circuit and
passed to a computer for data analysis. A status LED is illuminated on
the workstation reader based on the results of the data analysis. The
method, apparatus, and system can track, inspect, and verify inbound and
outbound surgical instrument kits, and help to assess the surgical
instruments' and trays' duty life cycle usage.