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And the global telecom plans to do it by offering radio frequency identification tracking to the health care industry.

"In the demanding health care environment, enhanced visibility and accuracy regarding the location of people and critical assets is crucial to providing optimal clinical care," said Brad Hunter, director of technology solutions for the American Hospital Association. "By introducing mobile technology, such as RFID, in the health care workplace, staff can save time, eliminate unnecessary costs, reduce theft and unnecessary inventory, and, most important, deliver better patient care."

AT&T is the first network services company to offer RFID products in the health care industry. It plans to offer RFID chips, infrastructure and systems needed for full tracking applications.

"Everything from tags and software to networks and data storage," said Brandy Barker, an AT&T spokeswoman. "In addition, the RFID technology generates customized reports that can be used to enhance patient safety, increase operational efficiency and improve financial performance."

Barker said AT&T had not yet offered the products to any hospitals in Arkansas but will in the near future.

RFID technology provides a wireless service to be able to track equipment, devices and even patients.

"Hospital staff can track the current or historical location of its equipment and even be alerted if at-risk patients have wandered or have been moved from their room, all from a Web browser," Barker said.

AT&T's RFID product works with a local wireless network by sending a signal at regular intervals to keep the system and asset locations up to date. This information is available to users who have access to a Web browser anywhere on a health care facility's wireless network. Barker said the system can work at single hospitals or can be wired to include an entire network of health care facilities.

The technology can also help hospitals save money by accurately keeping up with its valuable inventory.

"Health care organizations can now turn for the first time to a network services company to meet all of their RFID needs for products and services," John Regan, vice president of business marketing for AT&T, said in a news release. "Our RFID solutions help health care professionals and organizations make the most of their resources by ensuring the highest quality of patient care while at the same time reducing costs and increasing return on investment."

According to industry analyst firm InStat, the RFID market is predicted to see 100 percent year-over-year growth in the health care industry alone, growing the market to well over $200 million by 2010.