RFID vs. Barcode: What’s the Difference?

Before we dive into the difference between barcodes vs. RFID labels, let’s define what both of these terms mean. 

Barcodes

A barcode encodes information into a visual pattern that can be read by a barcode scanner. Traditional barcodes contain a combination of printed, parallel bars and spaces of varying widths that represent letters or numbers. In this sense, barcodes can be considered a type of font. 

RFIDs

RFID, or radio-frequency identification, is a system that uses radio-frequency electromagnetic elds to transmit information from RFID tags to RFID readers. In the case of hospital pharmacies, microchips with antennas (RFID tags) can be attached to medications and programmed to include specific information, including contents, location, dosage information, expiration date, batch number, and more.

We have all experienced both of these types of labels in our everyday lives, perhaps without even realizing it. For example, you have seen a barcode on most grocery items that you’ve purchased, and you may have encountered the QR code menus that have grown in popularity. 

Alternatively, you have likely interacted with RFID while shopping for clothes, which is an industry that uses RFID to track their inventory. 

How does RFID compare to barcoding?

Both RFID and barcoding have their own pros and cons and certain types of use. 

Pros and Cons of Barcodes in Healthcare

Barcodes cost less than RFIDs (upfront) and they are more commonly used. But, are barcodes the best option for complex organizations like hospitals? Barcodes are specifically suited for more simple processes and are limited to being scanned one at a time. Barcodes also disrupt certain workflows commonly used in a hospital, causing the need for workarounds and increasing the chance of inaccuracies.

Pros and Cons of RFID in Healthcare

With drugs moving at a high speed throughout hospitals, pharmacists need more visibility into their medications. RFID provides just that! Through the use of radio waves, a pharmacist or technician can scan multiple drugs at once, saving both time and operating costs. They also make the drugs more “intelligent.” RFID tags have the capacity to store and transmit more information at faster speeds than barcodes. RFID also has both read and write capabilities, which means that additional or updated information can be sent to the tags. This functionality also allows tags to be rewritten and reused for cost savings. As with every new technology, RFID is more expensive than barcodes and can have a large upfront investment, which may be a barrier to some.

Dive deeper into RFIDs vs Barcodes

Still undecided on which option is better for you? You can dive deeper into the differences between barcode and RFID by reading our white paper, created in association with Allegheny Health Network, in which their staff assesses the pros and cons of each method and discusses why they consider RFID to be the superior choice.