HID Global acquires GuardRFID to expand healthcare offering, create safer experiences for patients and staff

HID Global (HID), a worldwide renowned company in trusted identity solutions, has announced it has acquired GuardRFID, a major provider of real-time location services (RTLS) hardware and software solutions in the healthcare space.

The addition of GuardRFID expands HID’s offering and relevance in the active RFID and RTLS space, including the support for new use cases catered to the needs of healthcare facilities.

HID Global acquires GuardRFID

Bringing GuardRFID and its innovative RTLS technology into the HID family allow us to enhance our healthcare presence"

“Bringing GuardRFID and its innovative RTLS technology into the HID family allow us to enhance our healthcare presence to better protect patients and staff,” said Björn Lidefelt, the Executive Vice President (EVP) and Head of HID Global.

Björn Lidefelt adds, “As incidents in healthcare facilities continue to rise, these solutions will help providers do what they do best – making their patients feel better, faster.”

Suite of active RFID tags, readers and software

GuardRFID’s suite of active RFID tags, readers, exciters and software support four primary use cases important to the healthcare market, including:

• Infant Security: The TotGuard™ infant security system prevents infant abduction and mother-baby mismatches by providing wearable tags for mothers and infants. The system works in conjunction with both a hospital’s access control and network video systems.
• Staff Duress: 44% of nurses experience physical violence in the workplace, according to the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. Small, lightweight active RFID tags equipped with a call button can be worn on a wristband or lanyard to help protect healthcare workers in the event of duress.
• Asset Tracking: RFID tags are used to provide the real-time visibility of healthcare assets and enable staff to quickly find the equipment they need. This improves asset utilisation, saves labour costs, and reduces theft.
• Patient Wandering: At-risk patients, such as the elderly or those struggling with mental health, are tagged and become instantly detected at exit doors, stairwells, and elevators. The doors can be configured to lock and sound alarms when the tags are detected in proximity, offering an extra level of protection to these patients and their care-givers.

Incorporating GuardRFID into HID’s Identification Technologies

Incorporating GuardRFID into HID’s Identification Technologies grows and reasserts our expansion"

“Incorporating GuardRFID into HID’s Identification Technologies grows and reasserts our expansion as a major player in the healthcare industry,” said Marc Bielmann, the Senior Vice President (SVP) and Head of Identification Technologies at HID.

Marc Bielmann adds, “This acquisition, along with our growing portfolio of RTLS and active RFID solutions, provides new and existing healthcare clients with even more options to protect their patients and staff.”

GuardRFID offering will merge into HID’s IoT Business Unit

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, GuardRFID is now part of HID’s Identification Technologies Business Area led by Marc Bielmann. The GuardRFID offering will merge into HID’s Internet of Things (IoT) Business Unit and benefit from HID’s sales and other global functions to support its offering.

Kerry Brock, the President and Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) of GuardRFID, said “At GuardRFID, we have built a solid reputation for high-quality healthcare solutions and outstanding service for our customers and partners.”

Expansion in the North American Healthcare market

Kerry Brock adds, “We are excited to join the HID team and believe it will enhance our ability to compete and grow our market share in the North American Healthcare market. Having the brand and resources of HID coupled with our solutions will make us a leader in the industry.”