Latest Project News

10/26/2009

SysLogic, Inc., BloodCenter of Wisconsin, and University of Wisconsin-Madison Awarded
National Institutes of Health STTR Phase II Grant

Consortium Commences Phase II Study of Innovative Use of RFID Technology

SysLogic, Inc. today announced that The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Health and Human Services has awarded a $1.4 million Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant to SysLogic, Inc., the BloodCenter of Wisconsin (BCW) and UW-Madison. This grant will fund Phase II of a project to determine how Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology can be used to enhance patient safety when collecting, manufacturing, and transfusing blood products. This collaborative private-public initiative represents the first-ever research into the potential clinical and financial benefits of RFID technology for automatic identification, tracking, and status-monitoring of blood and blood products across the entire transfusion medicine supply chain, from the point of collection to the delivery of a product by a healthcare provider to a patient.

SysLogic, BCW and UW-Madison previously received a $100,000 Phase I STTR award from NIH to research the technical feasibility and impact assessment of using RFID in the blood supply chain. Data from the Phase I research project, published earlier this month in the peer-reviewed Journal of Healthcare Information Management, demonstrated that RFID-enabled processes offer the potential for tangible improvements to productivity and safety, including reductions in morbidity and mortality among hospital-based patients receiving blood transfusions. This grant for Phase II will fund the development and testing of a prototype which will demonstrate the functionality and test the limits of the RFID solution in a realistic, yet safe and secure environment.

RFID is an automatic identification method that relies on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags. RFID tags contain silicon chips and antennas that enable them to receive and respond to radio-frequency queries from RFID transceivers. This project aims to enhance the safety, quality, productivity and responsiveness of the nation’s blood supply through research, development and transfer of RFID technology. The targeted result will reduce production costs and blood transfusion errors by increasing efficiency and accuracy in material handling of blood.

"This NIH-funded project serves as a wonderful example of private-public partnership in order to bring new and innovative solutions to the marketplace. The BloodCenter of Wisconsin and UW-Madison’s RFID Lab are internationally recognized leaders," said Tina Chang, SysLogic CEO. "SysLogic is excited to collaborate with this team of distinguished researchers, technologists and health care stakeholders who are dedicated to improving patient safety and quality."

"This project addresses a health care priority of the nation," said Dr. Raj Veeramani, professor of industrial and systems engineering at UW-Madison. "Through innovative application of RFID, it will help reduce mortalities stemming from transfusion medical errors."

"This is a truly significant initiative," said Alfonso Gutierrez, director of the UW RFID Lab. "It partners academia with industry leaders in blood transfusion and technology services to transform blood products supply chain management. UW RFID Lab's research team looks forward to contributing to this challenging and high-impact project."

"We are enthusiastic about continuing our RFID study on behalf of blood centers and hospital transfusion services everywhere," said BCW Vice President and Chief Information Officer Rodeina Davis. "As this study will advance patient safety, reduce costs by increasing efficiency and streamline our processes, we are deeply gratified that the National Institutes of Health has funded our study through its completion."

"Our goal is to help the transfusion medicine community ensure that the right product gets to the right patient at the right time," said BCW President and CEO Jackie Fredrick. "This project fits well with our focus on translational medicine, creating a bridge between basic research and clinical applications."

SysLogic, Inc. is a Brookfield, Wisconsin-based information systems consulting and services firm dedicated to helping clients conduct business more effectively by delivering proven and emerging process and technology solutions.

BloodCenter of Wisconsin is a private, Wisconsin-based, non-profit organization and is one of only four blood centers in the world with a significant blood research program. Through its Blood Services, BloodCenter of Wisconsin provides collection, testing and distribution of blood to 55 hospitals in 28 Wisconsin counties.

The UW RFID Lab is a center of excellence in RFID, featuring state-of-the-art test beds for investigation of current RFID systems and the development of next-generation RFID solutions. The UW RFID Lab is an international leader in RFID research for healthcare industry applications, recognized for its multidisciplinary team of faculty and research staff and unique university-industry collaboration.

The National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research. It is comprised of 27 Institutes and Centers and provides leadership and financial support to researchers in every state and throughout the world.

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