Many healthcare institutes have moved away from manual tracking of newborn kids using pen and paper or spreadsheet-based records. Many hospitals in India and around the world are now leveraging RFID, UWB, BLE RTLS, and other IoT solutions.
Government Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) Hospital in Chennai, Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital for Women and Children, Triplicane, the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Government Hospital for Women and Children, Egmore and many Govt. hospitals in Andhra Pradesh have been using RFID wristbands and RFID tags to track newborns. The AP govt. has made it mandatory to use RFID tags on newborns to prevent 'switched at birth' situations and theft of infants.
While RFID technology is quite effective and offers wireless, sans line-of-sight tracking of RFID-tagged infants, technologies like UWB and BLE-based RTLS, a mobile app, and QR Code can be combined together to offer accurate localization within a meter and offer real-time visibility on newborns, who is present with them any given moment and mothers.
What is UWB and BLE-based RTLS solution?
Ultrawide Band (UWB) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), both are wireless network technologies that are great for localization and indoor navigation, same as GPS for outside navigation and localization. Unlike GPS, which doesn’t work effectively indoors, UWB and BLE-based RTLS (Real-time Location Services) work great and offer sub-meter accuracy.
The UWB-BLE RTLS tags cost around INR 40 and can be used on both, the mother and the child. These tags are encoded with a unique ID which helps the healthcare providers track the baby and the mother at the premises to ensure safety and prevent any irregularity.
How UWB and BLE RTLS Solutions Work in Newborn Tracking?
When a mother-to-be is admitted to a healthcare facility, she is tagged with a small wristband that works on UWB and BLE technology. The wristband tag also has a QR Code which is scanned to enter the same in the database.
When a newborn is born, the child is also tagged with a similar ankle tag or wristband, and the QR Code on the tag is scanned to map the kid with the mother in the database.
It can also be set for how long someone is with the newborn, like the other parent or a nurse, and when to raise an alarm for suspicious activity.
One clear advantage UWB and BLE technologies offer is that both are compatible with new smartphones. While UWB works as are great tool for localization in real-time, BLE acts as secondary verification and offers indoor navigation.
Advantages of RTLS in Tracking Newborns at Hospitals
The integration of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) based Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) for tracking newborns has emerged as a critical innovation aimed at enhancing security, preventing theft, and addressing irregularities in hospital environments.
UWB technology operates by transmitting short pulses of radio frequency signals over a wide bandwidth, allowing for precise location tracking with an accuracy of within a few centimeters.
On the other hand, BLE is a wireless technology designed for low energy consumption, making it suitable for battery-powered devices such as ankle tags worn by newborns. When combined in an RTLS framework, these technologies provide an effective solution for real-time tracking and monitoring of infants within a healthcare facility.
Preventing Theft of Newborns at Hospitals
One of the most pressing concerns in hospitals is the potential for infant abduction. The emotional and psychological impact of such incidents is profound, not only on the families involved but also on the healthcare institution's credibility.
BLE and UWB-based RTLS can significantly mitigate this risk by ensuring that every newborn is tagged with a unique identifier. These wristbands or ankle tags continuously relay the infant's location to a centralized monitoring system, alerting staff immediately if a newborn is moved outside designated areas or if unauthorized personnel attempt to access restricted zones.
Addressing Irregularities in Hospital Operations
In addition to preventing theft, UWB and BLE tracking systems can identify irregularities in hospital operations. For instance, if a newborn's transfer from one department to another is delayed or deviates from the expected protocol, the system can generate alerts, prompting immediate investigation. Such a proactive approach not only enhances the safety of infants but also improves the overall efficiency of hospital workflows, allowing staff to maintain a higher standard of care.
Enhancing Parent-Child Bonding with RTLS Technology
The use of RTLS technologies also benefits parents. Many systems allow parents to monitor their newborn’s location via mobile applications, providing peace of mind during their hospital stay. It creates a transparent system that fosters a stronger bond between parents and their infants, as they can feel more involved in their child’s care and security.
Improving Healthcare Outcomes
By streamlining tracking processes, UWB and BLE-based RTLS can improve healthcare outcomes. The ability to monitor the location and status of newborns in real-time allows for quick responses to medical emergencies. For instance, if a newborn requires immediate medical attention, the system can quickly guide healthcare professionals to the precise location of the infant, reducing response times and potentially saving lives.
To conclude, the integration of UWB and BLE-based RTLS for tracking newborns in hospitals presents a transformative approach to infant safety and hospital management. These systems represent a significant advancement in the healthcare sector by preventing theft, addressing irregularities, enhancing parent-child bonding, and improving healthcare outcomes. Use of RTLS ankle tags on newborns and wristbands for mothers ensure that no newborn is mismatched, or misplaced and accuracy and safety are maintained all the time.
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