Abstract: A location/tracking system for use in hospitals and similar healthcare facilities is based upon a “last seen” location for patients, clinicians, or high value equipment. The system uses portal readers to determine when and where an item to be tracked passes through a portal, bed or exam chair mounted proximity reader to determine when and how long an item is proximate to a reader in order to determine when and for how long the item is proximate to a particular task area. Real time tracking and retrospective analysis of transaction data enables locating an item to be tracked and allows higher level analysis of the transaction data to determine metrics for “time to test”, “time to treatment”, and similar statistics.

Abstract: An identification device, preferably a wristband or adhesive label, is configured to receive identifying indicia by means of a direct thermal printer. A direct thermal layer includes antimicrobial particles embedded therein and is exposed, i.e., does not have a protective overcoat or varnish covering the direct thermal layer. The antimicrobial particles increase the surface available silver ions and are preferably formed of an aqueous dispersion of silver chloride-coated titanium dioxide particles. The antimicrobial particles may also be formed of an inorganic silver-containing compound such as silver zirconium phosphates or a silver substituted zeolite.