RFID adoption in healthcare environments comes with unique challenges. From surgical trays exposed to high-temperature autoclaving to pharmaceutical items requiring precise traceability, RFID tags must meet demanding performance, durability and regulatory standards.

Organizations across the medical sector are under increasing pressure to meet global regulations such as the FDA's Unique Device Identification (UDI) rule and the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR). At the same time, automation in Sterile Processing Departments (SPD), operating rooms, pharmacies and hospital logistics is driving the demand for reliable and scalable RFID solutions.

Developed by Cisper and Xerafy, this white paper provides a practical framework for selecting the right RFID tags and labels for healthcare applications. It outlines the key criteria, from environmental resistance and read performance to regulatory readiness and attachment methods, helping organizations identify tagging solutions that deliver reliability, compliance and long-term operational value.

1. Environmental Resistance

Healthcare applications expose RFID tags to some of the toughest conditions. Selecting tags that can withstand sterilization and cleaning processes is critical.

• Autoclave: Tags must survive repeated high-temperature and high-pressure steam cycles used in sterilizing surgical trays and reusable tools.
• Gamma Irradiation: Used for sterilizing pre-packaged, single-use kits and instruments. Tags for these applications must use radiation-resistant materials and adhesives to maintain performance after exposure.
• Chemical Disinfection: Many hospital environments require resistance to alcohols, peroxides and detergents.

2. Surface Compatibility

Selecting the appropriate tag format depends on the material and shape of the asset.

• On-metal surfaces: Orthopedic tools, dental instruments and surgical trays require tags designed to perform on metal surfaces.
• Non-metal surfaces: Packaging, plastics and glass need tags that maintain readability on non-metallic surfaces.
• Curved, small form-factor: Instruments with limited surface area require ultra-compact or flexible designs.
• Disposable vs. reusable: Reusability impacts the tag's construction, memory requirements and attachment method.

3. Read Performance

Performance must align with workflow conditions such as closely packed surgical trays, mobile environments and automated scanning.

• Read range, orientation sensitivity, interference: Surgical trays and SPD (Sterile Processing Department) workflows involve stacked metal instruments and limited tag visibility.
• Chip selection: New-generation chips like the Impinj M830 Gen2X offer enhanced sensitivity and deliver measurable improvements in dense and high-volume deployments, such as faster inventory, stronger data protection and improved authentication.
• Reader integration: Tags must be compatible with common RFID infrastructure, including fixed readers, handheld devices, and portal systems used in healthcare environments.

4. Attachment and Use Cases

How tags are attached is a critical factor in both compliance and durability.

• Adhesive labels: Used for consumables, medical vials and outer packaging.
• Rivets or screws: Ideal for high-value, reusable items like surgical trays and containers.
• Sew-in or heat-press: Designed for textiles including linens, scrubs and surgical gowns that undergo industrial washing.

Common applications for hospital and medical asset tracking

RFID technology supports a wide range of applications in hospitals and medical facilities.
The following examples illustrate how tags and labels can improve visibility, traceability and efficiency across different workflows.

• Sterile processing: Tracking of trays and instruments through cleaning, assembly and sterilization.
• Loaner systems: Managing serialized devices across usage and return cycles.
• Point-of-care equipment: Monitoring availability and location of mobile clinical equipment.
• Pharmacy inventory: Enabling stock control and traceability of medication kits.
• Storeroom supplies: Ensuring visibility into high-volume, fast-moving hospital inventory.
• Scrubs and linens: Automating textile management and reducing shrinkage.

Checklist: What To Consider When Choosing Your Tags and Labels

Use Case	Key Considerations	Recommended Xerafy tags
Surgical trays and loaner kits	Autoclave, metal surface, mechanical attachment	Roswell Autoclavable, MICRO Medical
Medical consumables and packaging	Adhesive application, gamma/autoclave resistance, off-metal surface	XSKIN Gamma, XSKIN Theta Roll
Linen, scrubs, and surgical gowns	Washable, heat-sealed or sewn-in, bulk scanning	TEX Trak Series
Pharmacy and storeroom supplies	Flat surfaces, non-metal, on-liquid compatibility	On-Liquid Labels
IT and mobile devices, lab equipment	Metal or plastic surface, static assets, no sterilization	Metal Skin Delta, Metal Skin Titanium Label
Lab samples and liquids	Readability through liquid, chemical exposure	Metal Skin Titanium, 48 Liquid
Controlled medications and kits	Tamper indication, item-level tracking, regulatory compliance	Metal Skin Platinum, 60 Tamper
Point-of-care carts and trolleys	Mixed materials, indoor mobility, reader alignment	POD Trak Series, Metal Skin Labels
UDI-compliant medical devices	Unique ID, memory, sterilization, lifetime tracking	MICRO Medical, Trak Series

All Xerafy tags are available through Cisper.

Top considerations when choosing RFID for hospital and medical asset tracking

• Survivability through sterilization (e.g. autoclave, gamma, disinfection)
• Surface compatibility (on-metal, on-liquid, textile, curved surfaces)
• Attachment method (adhesive, rivet, sew-in/heat-seal)
• Read performance and orientation sensitivity
• Compatibility with healthcare readers and infrastructure
• Label durability for disposable vs. reusable workflows
• UDI and compliance support (EPC memory, locked ID, global standards)
• Tamper resistance and traceability for controlled items
• Bulk reading and inventory throughput (e.g. laundry or trays)
• Environmental and chemical exposure (labs, pharmacies)

Need help with your RFID project?

Looking for expert guidance on tag selection, product samples or the right implementation partner? Contact our RFID specialists.