# Electromagnetic Assessment of UHF-RFID Devices in Healthcare Environment
## 5 Conclusions  
Due to the more frequent use of the wireless communication networks within the proximity of medical devices at healthcare centers, it has become crucial to determine the points with higher levels of exposure. A comprehensive exposure assessment, source identification, and configuration at maximum transmitted power or actual maximum power is performed. The characteristic of Radiofrequency EMF exposures have been studied, in terms of their spatial distribution denoted at the E-field strength, based upon the measurements or calculations results. Following the results obtained by the authors, the electric field strength (at 866 MHz frequency) values, as measured or simulated with the use of the computer modelling in far-field areas of the examined UHF RFID readers intended for manual or autonomous operation at the healthcare centers (>0.5 m from antenna), are substantially lower than the exposure limits provided for in guidelines, laws and regulations that are applicable to the protection of health of the EMF exposed individuals against hazards associated with the thermal effects of the absorption of electromagnetic energy in tissues. Still, all the guidelines included notes whereby it was stated that vulnerable individuals may require some additional protection at exposure levels below mentioned thermal effects-based limits, including the protection against inappropriate operation of electronic devices, with the foregoing of specific importance for the medical implants that appear to be more likely used in the healthcare centers than in public areas. The evaluation of the thermal effects of EMF exposure near the readers (in case of exposure in near-field surrounding of EMF source--when manually operated UHF RFID reader is used, or when accidental exposure of an individual who is approaching an autonomous reader) requires the SAR computer simulation. The results obtained by the authors shown that whilst taking the effects of the EMF exposure in the near-field surrounding UHF RFID readers into account, the relevant preventive measures are to be undertaken, with the aim being to ensure sufficient prevention of individuals who may be present there. Applying relevant prevention measures needs to be considered specifically where the RFID reader that emits electromagnetic radiation of over 1 W has been used, or where the vicinity of applied RFID system is accessible for individuals, who may approach to the reader closer than 30% of its reading range. To conclude, the use of manually operated RFID readers should specifically constitute the focal point of further research on the matter, as well as their prospected installation at the areas accessible by patients and visitors. Conceptualization, V.R., O.J.S. and J.A.H. ; methodology, V.R., O.J.S., J.K., F.F. and J.A.H. ; software, S.S., V.M.F., E.A., M.C.E., L.E.R., P.M. and P.Z. ; validation, V.R., O.J.S., J.A.H., J.K. and F.F. ; formal analysis, O.J.S., E.A., P.Z., M.C.-E. and J.A.H. ; investigation, V.R., J.A.H., F.F. and J.K.; resources, V.R., O.J.S. and J.A.H. ; data curation, O.J.S. and P.M.; writing--original draft preparation, V.R., J.A.H., O.J.S., S.E., A.P., Z., L.E.R., M.C.-E. and P.M.; writing--review and editing, V.R., O.J.S. and J.A.H. ; visualization, V.R. ; supervision, V.R. ; project administration, V.R. ; funding acquisition, V.R. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.