Earlier this week, we discussed how the iPad can work with barcode scanning devices such as the Socket Mobile Bluetooth Cordless Scanner 7X. In addition to the 7X, Socket Mobile makes an anti-microbial scanner, the 7XRX, for hospital and healthcare applications.

With Bluetooth syncing support, the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad could play a major role in healthcare settings with the help of an anti-microbial scanner like the 7XRX. Barcodes are a quintessential part of any hospital-—they allow nurses to tag medications, avoid dosing errors, keep an accurate count of supplies, and more. Because of the prevalence and importance of barcodes throughout hospitals, the pairing of these devices could mean significant changes for the healthcare industry.

For example, in mobile clinic or home hospice settings where Wi-Fi may not be available, the iPhone’s network would be able to upload the data in real-time, leaving no risk for errors.

I’m sure many other uses for Bluetooth barcode scanners and the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch are still under development, so stay tuned by friending us on facebook, or following us on twitter.

TLC Care Center is a habilitation, therapy and long-term nursing facility outside of Las Vegas, NV. The recently opened a new wing, dedicated for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other advanced forms of dementia.

In order to keep track of the patients, TLC implemented an RFID system that, by attaching RFID-enabled wrisbands to each patient, would ensure they don’t wander away. Upon being admitted to TLC, each new patient receives an RFID tag that stores unique information regarding the resident, allowing certain residents to access only certain parts of the building. The Center was able to customize the read range to be sure that alarms only sounded when patients attempted to leave a secured area.

Within the memory wing of the facility, there are two units, one for the physically active and another for those that require a wheelchair or walker. The RFID system provides a non-intrusive solution that allows employees and visitors to easily pass between units, but will automatically lock if a resident of one unit approached the other.

It’s amazing what RFID can do these days. It won’t be long before every hospital and healthcare center implements a system like the one at TLC Care. For more information on RFID systems, learn more here.

It’s been a few years now since I’ve started following QR codes, and I am pleasantly pleased to announce that they are catching on more than ever in the US. While I still think it may take some time to catch up to QR codes in Japan, the US, particularly major cities such as New York, is on the right track to fully utilizing this mobile barcode technology.

Not too long ago, it was Internet Week in The Big Apple and larger-than-life QR codes were showcased throughout the city. Now, Calvin Klein is following suite. The retailer recently launched a QR code campaign in New York and Los Angelos that allows those who scan the code to receive uncensored content. Once the large, red and white QR code is scanned, users receive a Fall 2010 Calvin Klein Jeans X commercial featuing the lovely Lara Stone surrounded by male models.

However, this type of campaign may sound familiar to you. Last year, Sports Illustrated launched a campaign with JAGTAG that provided users with additional content of the scantiliy clad models in its swimsuit issue.

I think its great that Calvin Klein has found a tech-savvy way to share their racy content with those who really want to see it, rather than subjecting everyone to viewing it. However, with all these different campaigns popping up, the question still remains; which is the best mobile barcode- QR codes, JAGTAG, or Microsoft Tag? If you have a strong opinion as to which barcode is best, let us know by commenting here, or on our Facebook page.

The Regional Hospital Center/University of Tours (CHRU) includes over 2,000 beds, provides services to over 65,000 people a year and is looking for ways to accommodate another 375 people a day. All types of cancer are treated at the hospital and every step on the road to the cure involves computers, particularly the CHRU’s pharmaceutical endeavors. Computers provide traceability of the manufacturing process, from the prescription stage right up to the delivery stage.

Datalogic Mobile’s terminals are at the center of this solution, allowing a greater mobility for doctors. In particular, the Datalogic Memor™ plays an instrumental role in sending hospital information to the central system in order to keep the production cycle running. With the Memor, users go through an identification process in order to be able to access the application. Once the person has been identified, he/she can see all the manufacturing information on the Memor™ screen, as well as the stage currently in progress. The user can then scan or use the keyboard to register the prescription number to access this information and identify other tasks. All data is then transmitted in real-time to the hospital’s central computer system via WiFi.

The Datalogic Memor allows for an incresed safety among patients, and helps CHRU do what they do best, without the hassle. To learn more about Datalogic and their product line, learn more here.

Earlier, we discussed barcode scanning on the iPad via the CueCat. Now, it seems as though more and more people are becoming interested in barcode scanning capabilities on the iPad and solutions are continuously being developed. One solution used the LXE 8650 Ring Scanner in combination with the List-In-Hand app , and another involves the Socket Mobile Bluetooth Cordless Scanner 7X, but almost any bluetooth barcode scanner can be used.

The iPad is a revolutionary device that consumers can easily carry around both in and outdoors, so when a bluetooth barcode scanner or RFID is added to the mix, the possibilities are endless. In fact, I came across one article that dubbs the iPad as the, “missing link between Internet-connected items in your home, for example the Internet fridge, and the Web.” The article goes on to say, “In the not too distant future, household appliances and other real-world objects such as cars will be connected to the Internet. The iPad may well become the connector to all of those things.”

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