Near Field Communication: On the Horizon for Libraries and

HealthcareAndrew Youngkin

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Health Sciences/Human Services Library

March 4, 2013

Technology Change is Inevitable

Horizon pops

July 2005

July 2012

Gartner

2013

Near Field Communications (NFC)

NFC—what is it?

Radio-frequency standard that allows smartphones to communicate or exchange information while in close proximity with another smartphone or with NFC ‘tags’

NFC is ‘The Internet of Things’

Why NFC?

Library & Healthcare Applications

Mobile Technology

Facilitates User Access

Supports Data Collection Analytics

Research Potential

NFC in Libraries

User physical/digital identification Increased security Personal library settings/experience—account

management

NFC in Libraries

User authentication for access to physical & digital environments Reserve/access study rooms, specific collectionsComputers, printers, other shared electronic

resources Mobile payments

NFC in Libraries

NFC in Libraries

NFC in Libraries

NFC in Libraries

NFC in Libraries

NFC in Libraries

Wi-Fi AccessSoftware downloads/managementApp updates

NFC in Libraries

Monitor facility use—furniture, group study areas, and other resources not traditionally associated with electronic information/data

NFC in Healthcare

Patient-check-in/health history

Hospital way-finding

NFC in Healthcare

Tele-health/medicine Vital signsBiometrics Provider updatesPrescription/medication management

Personal Health record/informatics

Daily record Body pressure Pulse Weight

Pedometer Drug administration Eating Exercise Sleep patterns

NFC in Healthcare

Provider InteractionTime w/patientProcedures performedMedical records updates automatically E-prescribing

NFC in Healthcare

Fitness

Smart Clothing

Emergency/Disaster Apps

The Power of NFC

1. NFC = Mobility

Responds to trends in mobile access/use

Responds to trends in increased device ownership

Expected all new mobile devices will have NFC hardware built-in in 2-3 years (many have it currently)

NFC can also stand alone and users don’t need a mobile device to collect/send data

2. NFC= Access

• Greater access to library resources in formats users prefer, resulting in increased use

• Enhanced access to resources to add value to user experience

3. NFC= Data

Resource/Service analytics

Facility management

Learning informatics

Health informatics

Research applications to use to support personal health record

Library information systems

4. NFC= Outcomes

Health Sciences libraries integral to researching, using, applying NFC to: reduce healthcare costs and improve health/patient outcomes

Enhanced value of health sciences library resources, services in medical settings

5. NFC= Opportunity

Teaching

Learning

Research

Collaboration

Service

NFC, Libraries & Healthcare

Thank You

Questions???