The solution uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, with patients wearing BLE wristbands and staff carrying BLE-enabled ID badges. When individuals or tagged assets come into close proximity, the system automatically records the interaction, including duration, distance, time and location, without any manual intervention.

BLE gateway readers and anchors installed throughout the hospital capture location and proximity data and feed it into a central platform, providing real-time alerts, visual dashboards and detailed reports. Once an infected person is identified, infection control teams can quickly see who may have been exposed, where interactions occurred and which areas require targeted cleaning or further investigation.

The solution is designed to integrate with existing hospital infrastructure and can be deployed as an entry-level system or expanded to support wider real-time location services, including asset tracking, patient flow optimisation, sterilisation tracking and automated cleaning workflows.

Arron Duddin, general manager at RFiD Discovery, said: ‘Effective infection control depends on having the right information at the right time.

‘Our automated contact tracing solution gives infection prevention teams clear visibility of interactions between patients, staff and assets, allowing them to respond quickly, reduce risk and maintain safer hospital environments.'

The solution has been implemented at an undisclosed hospital in Germany and has delivered ‘very promising' early results. The initial deployment phase has been successfully completed and the system is now being rolled out across the hospital's additional sites.

RFiD Discovery says it is currently in discussions with both existing and prospective NHS customers who are interested in implementing the system within their hospitals.