AMA Endorses RFID Implantation

The American Medical Association (AMA, Chicago) has voted to adopt a policy endorsing the use of radio frequency identification tags (RFIDs) in patient care.

RFID tags can store medical information under the skin, giving emergency room doctors access to the records of chronically ill patients, and potentially reducing adverse drug reactions and medical error.

However, the AMA recognizes that the device may also pose some physical risks such as moving to other parts of the body, or causing interference with electrical devices. The association also states that RFID implantation may compromise patient privacy.