“RTLS system in a healthcare facility improves patient care, offers real-time visibility into patient’s and doctor’s movements and medical equipment tracking, and optimizes day to day hospital management.”
Real-time location services (RTLS) in the healthcare sector are known for precise, real-time location data for people and assets within a healthcare facility. As it happens, healthcare facilities often struggle with locating doctors in emergency cases, alerting nurses during critical care and operations, and finding crucial medical instruments without losing critical clinical time. Tool tracking in healthcare is quite an important task and automating all this requires healthcare facilities to depend upon technology-led, internet-connected infrastructure rather than doing it manually which often results in inefficiency and human errors. RTLS and Track and Trace type of automation using BLE and RFID technologies can be set up in newer hospitals since the start however, deploying RTLS in old hospitals and medical facilities requires added costs which might not always be easy. Hospital managers need to consider ROI and doctors, staff, and patient-level benefits to get started with an RTLS system.
Let’s see in detail, through this blog, the functioning of RTLS in healthcare using various technologies such as RFID, BLE, and Wi-Fi, and delve into its applications and benefits for patients, staff, medical professionals, and hospital management, as well as its role in asset tracking within healthcare settings.
Functioning of RTLS in a Hospital
Real-Time Location Services leverage diverse technologies to track and manage the locations of doctors, nurses, staff, patients, and assets within a healthcare facility. To achieve real-time, item-level visibility in a hospital, there are several technologies that work well including RFID, BLE, UWB, etc. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) leverages radio frequency waves/RF signals to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects or individuals. In healthcare, RFID tags can be attached to equipment, medication, vaccine vials, or even patient wristbands, allowing for real-time tracking and monitoring. RFID offers a simple yet effective method to connect each and every item and individual with the internet-connected RTLS system and ensure 360-degree visibility.
RTLS and Bluetooth Low Energy
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is another technology commonly used in RTLS. BLE beacons are deployed throughout the facility to transmit signals, which are then picked up by smartphones, wearables, or other BLE-enabled devices. Bluetooth low-energy beacons thus enable precise indoor positioning and navigation for both patients and healthcare staff. Since BLE is compatible with most smartphones, you don’t need to set up elaborate reader infrastructure, unlike RFID.
A BLE beacon offers bidirectional communication and PAwR (Periodic Advertisement with Response) (Bluetooth 5.3) and up to 100m transmission range where it can communicate with wristbands, smartphones, and tablets in the vicinity. BLE being a low power consuming technology, BLE beacons last for years and save on deployment costs and recurring costs in an BLE RTLS system.
Another popular RTLS technology being used in healthcare is Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi-based RTLS utilizes a facility's existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to track the location of Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets (carrying individuals), and medical equipment. By triangulating signals from multiple access points, Wi-Fi RTLS can provide accurate location data in real-time.
Applications and Benefits of RTLS in Healthcare
1. Patient Care with RTLS Technology
(a). Enhanced Patient Safety
Remote patient monitoring is one of the crucial challenges of this age as highlighted by the Covid19 pandemic, and RTLS offers an effective solution in that regard. Leveraging IoT and RTLS, it is possible to track patient location within a facility in real-time and to get patient vitals remotely through IoT sensors and vital monitors.
RTLS helps prevent elopement by tracking the location of at-risk patients, such as those with dementia or Alzheimer's, thereby ensuring their safety and security.
(b). Workflow Optimization
RTLS has a real chance at streamlining the overall day-to-day operations. It facilitates the monitoring of patient flow, allowing healthcare providers to streamline processes, reduce wait times, and improve overall patient experience on the premises.
2. Track Staff, Doctors, and Nurses
(a). Efficient Staff Allocation
RTLS provides insights into staff movements, enabling efficient allocation of resources and enhancing response times during emergencies.
(b). Enhanced Communication
RTLS systems can be integrated with communication systems, enabling staff to locate and communicate with colleagues, leading to improved coordination and patient care.
3. Hospital Management with RTLS
(a). Asset Tracking
RTLS enables real-time tracking of medical equipment, reducing inventory loss and improving equipment utilization, ultimately leading to cost savings and operational efficiency.
(b). Regulatory Compliance
RTLS aids in compliance with regulatory requirements related to asset management, patient safety, and infection control.
To conclude, Real-time Location Services (RTLS) powered by technologies such as RFID, BLE, and Wi-Fi have emerged as indispensable tools in modern healthcare settings. By offering precise location data and real-time insights, RTLS enhances patient care, improves operational efficiency, and contributes to better resource management. The role of RTLS in ensuring patient safety, optimizing workflows, and streamlining operations will only become more pronounced, making it an integral component of the healthcare ecosystem in the near future.
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