RTLS – Minimize the Risk of Healthcare-associated Infections (HAI)

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Tag: patient safety

RTLS – Minimize the Risk of Healthcare-associated Infections (HAI)

Posted on by Waed Os

RTLS Solutions for Healthcare-Associated Infections Prevention

Healthcare facilities constantly strive to enhance patient safety and minimize the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Moreover, Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) have emerged as a valuable technology in this quest. Specifically, they offer innovative solutions to monitor and manage various aspects of hospital operations.

The Burden of Healthcare-Associated Infections

HAIs pose a serious threat to patient well-being. Furthermore, they add to the complexity and cost of healthcare delivery. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in 31 hospitalized patients in the United States acquires at least one HAI [1]. Additionally, these infections not only compromise patient recovery but also strain healthcare resources.

Read more about the CDC guidelines

How do RTLS Solutions Operate? And which technology is the most suitable?

Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) employ various technologies to implement location-based solutions. Notably, each technology has its merits and drawbacks. Specifically, these primarily stem from the accuracy at cost tradeoff, including both initial investment and operational costs. For example, RTLS technologies include Ultra-wideband (UWB), Ultra-sonic, Infra-Red and RFID.

In our pursuit of an optimal solution, Penguin developed its own RTLS solution using Bluetooth Low Energy 5.1 (BLE 5.1) with healthcare in mind. Today, Penguin’s sub-meter positioning accuracy serves as the underlying enabler for the HAI prevention solution that Penguin offers.

Learn more: BLE 5.1 vs UWB

RTLS Applications for Minimizing the Risk of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)

Asset Tracking

First and foremost, RTLS systems assist in monitoring the movement and usage of medical equipment. Consequently, this ensures that healthcare facilities properly clean and disinfect devices between uses. Moreover, by maintaining a digital record of equipment locations and usage, healthcare facilities can implement strict protocols for equipment hygiene. As a result, this reduces the risk of cross-contamination.

People Tracking

Second, real-time location tracking of patients allows healthcare providers to monitor their movements throughout the facility. This proves particularly crucial in quarantine scenarios. Specifically, in these cases, healthcare providers must isolate patients with contagious diseases. Furthermore, RTLS systems enhance the ability to implement effective isolation measures. Therefore, this limits the spread of infections within the hospital environment.

Staff Monitoring

Third, healthcare professionals play a pivotal role in preventing the transmission of infections. Moreover, RTLS systems enable the tracking of staff movements. Consequently, this ensures that staff adhere to hygiene protocols consistently. Additionally, this includes monitoring hand hygiene compliance and optimizing workflows. Therefore, this minimizes unnecessary exposure to infectious agents.

Workflow Optimization

Finally, RTLS technology helps streamline hospital workflows. Specifically, it provides real-time insights into the movement of patients, staff, and equipment. Furthermore, by optimizing the flow of people and resources, healthcare facilities can reduce congestion. Additionally, they can improve response times. Ultimately, this enhances infection control measures.

Penguin Location service: Your Partner in HAI Prevention

By leveraging the capabilities of real-time location tracking, hospitals can implement proactive measures. Specifically, these measures reduce the risk of infections, improve patient safety, and enhance overall operational efficiency. This is where Penguin comes in.

Moreover, our adopted technology (PenTrack) receives expert design to ensure swift and affordable solutions. Furthermore, we provide the hardware and grant access to our state-of-the-art algorithms. Consequently, these ensure efficient and accurate results. Additionally, our solutions integrate seamlessly into physical and software environments. Therefore, we accommodate our solutions with near zero-overhead.

Get Started Today

📧 Get a free consultation today: [email protected]

Discover how Penguin can help your healthcare facility reduce HAIs and improve patient safety.

References

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Healthcare-Associated Infections Statistics.

Healthcare Asset Tracking with RTLS: ROI-Driven Patient Safety Solutions

Posted on by Waed Os

RTLS Healthcare ROI: Use Cases and Financial Benefits

Introduction

As we address pain points that RTLS healthcare solutions can solve, we naturally focus on healthcare problems. In today’s world, having a well-structured digital foundation is vital. Moreover, the use of real-time location systems healthcare gradually becomes an essential addition to every healthcare facility. Specifically, it prioritizes patient safety and optimizes services. Additionally, it ensures smooth operations where mistakes stay minimal.

This article provides insights into the important use cases of RTLS in healthcare. Furthermore, it highlights the quantifiable RTLS healthcare ROI it brings.

Key RTLS for Healthcare Use Cases

Asset Management and Optimization

First and foremost, RTLS enables precise tracking and management of crucial medical assets. These include infusion pumps, wheelchairs, and monitoring devices. Moreover, by efficiently locating and monitoring these assets in real-time,

healthcare facilities experience reduced downtime. Additionally, they minimize equipment loss and increase asset utilization rates.

Enhanced Patient Safety

Second, with RTLS, patient safety takes center stage. Specifically, hospitals can monitor patient movements and prevent elopement incidents. Furthermore, they can optimize patient flow. Real-time alerts and notifications ensure timely responses to emergencies. Consequently, this fosters an environment of enhanced patient security and care.

Streamlined Workflows

Third, RTLS optimizes staff movements and streamlines workflows and resource allocation. As a result, this leads to reduced wait times for patients. Moreover, it improves staff productivity. Ultimately, this creates better patient experiences.

Contact Tracing

Fourth, RTLS plays a critical role in maintaining infection control protocols within healthcare facilities. Specifically, by tracking the movements of medical staff and patients, hospitals can quickly identify and contain potential outbreaks. Additionally, RTLS data helps analyze patterns of contact and potential transmission. Therefore, this facilitates targeted interventions to prevent the spread of infections.

Hand Hygiene Monitoring

Finally, hand hygiene compliance is vital for patient safety. Specifically, RTLS enables real-time monitoring of healthcare professionals’ handwashing practices. Consequently, this ensures adherence to protocols and reduces healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Moreover, immediate feedback promotes a culture of awareness and enhances patient outcomes. Additionally, analyzing compliance trends aids staff training and elevates patient care with Penguin’s comprehensive RTLS solutions.

Therefore, discover how RTLS revolutionizes hand hygiene for North American healthcare facilities.

RTLS Healthcare ROI Drivers

Cost Savings from Asset Utilization

Research in North American hospitals highlights the substantial financial impact of asset theft and loss. In fact, multiple studies demonstrate that the annual cost of hospital equipment losses can range from $4,000 to $12,000 per bed. Consequently, this translates to annual losses that could range from $400,000 to $1,200,000.

Increased Patient Throughput

By minimizing patient wait times and optimizing bed turnover, RTLS helps hospitals accommodate more patients. Notably, a 15% increase in patient throughput appears in several case studies. As a result, this could lead to potential annual revenue growth of $2 million per facility.

Avoidance of Legal Liabilities

Implementing RTLS in elderly care units led to an 80% reduction in patient elopement incidents in North American healthcare facilities. Importantly, this reduction ensures patient safety and mitigates potential legal liabilities. Therefore, this protects hospitals from substantial financial consequences.

Penguin Location Service: An Affordable Healthcare RTLS Provider with a Simplified Managed System

Penguin takes pride in offering a cost-effective and user-friendly RTLS solution. Specifically, our solution caters to the specific needs of healthcare providers. Moreover, our simplified managed solutions (PENTRACK & PENNAV) ensure seamless integration into existing infrastructures. Consequently, this eliminates the need for complex and costly installations.

Through our advanced tracking technology, healthcare facilities can optimize asset utilization, streamline workflows, and enhance patient safety. Additionally, they achieve significant cost savings. Furthermore, with Penguin as a reliable RTLS partner, hospitals can focus on delivering top-notch patient care. They can remain confident that their operational efficiency and ROI stay maximized.

Read more about our process to align with “CBAHI” Additionally, learn how we help our clients achieve regulatory compliance in our in-depth article.

Conclusion

The RTLS healthcare ROI in the healthcare industry is undeniable. In fact, North American healthcare facilities experience substantial cost savings, improved patient care, and optimized hospital operations.

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, RTLS emerges as a transformative solution. Specifically, it brings precision and efficiency to healthcare operations. Moreover, Penguin’s affordable RTLS offering, coupled with a simplified managed system, positions us as a leading provider in the market. Therefore, we empower healthcare organizations to unlock the true potential of RTLS. Ultimately, they can thrive in an era of precision healthcare.

Furthermore, with a multitude of use cases, RTLS becomes an indispensable tool. Consequently, it elevates healthcare services to new levels of excellence.

With Penguin as your trusted partner, we deliver innovative and tailored RTLS solutions for your indoor positioning and tracking needs.

Contact us today to enhance your indoor positioning capabilities.

Learn more about our solutions here

Source: Real-Time Locating Systems (RTLS) to improve fall detection

CBAHI – Focus Areas and Solutions

Posted on by Issam AK

CBAHI Focus Areas and Smart Solutions for Saudi Healthcare Excellence

Under the rigorous monitoring of the Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutes (CBAHI), Saudi Arabia is transforming healthcare standards across all medical institutions. This evolution ensures alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, driving unprecedented quality improvements in patient care and facility management.

In this article, we explore key CBAHI accreditation standards and demonstrate how Penguin’s innovative technology solutions help healthcare facilities not only achieve compliance but excel in service quality and operational efficiency.

 

Executive Leadership: Technology-Driven Decision Making

Key Performance Indicators for Healthcare Executives

CBAHI has identified critical focus areas for executive leadership:

  • Supply Chain Excellence: Ensuring seamless provision of medicines, equipment, and medical supplies throughout the facility
  • Quality Collaboration: Working across all departments to elevate care standards and operational protocols
  • Facility Infrastructure: Continuous monitoring and evaluation of building conditions and maintenance needs
  • Resource Optimization: Minimizing waste of valuable medical resources and supplies

The Power of Real-Time Data

Modern technology empowers executives through automated monitoring and intelligent reporting across all facility operations. Access to real-time data enables faster, more informed decision-making on critical metrics including:

  • Asset utilization rates
  • Staff attendance compliance
  • Facility maintenance schedules
  • Practitioner response times

Penguin’s comprehensive platform provides executives with the tools needed to build ROI-driven strategies based on actionable insights and accurate data.

Infection Control: Revolutionizing Hand Hygiene Compliance

CBAHI’s Enhanced Requirements

The ESR CBAHI standards place renewed emphasis on infection prevention through stringent hand hygiene protocols:

  • Governance Structure: Establishment of a multidisciplinary committee providing oversight of infection prevention and control programs
  • Standardized Procedures: Implementation of comprehensive sterilization, disinfection, and hand cleaning compliance protocols
  • Resource Management: Proper use and adequate provision of infection prevention equipment and supplies

Beyond Compliance: Measurable Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene has rightfully become the cornerstone of any effective infection control program. As Dr. Mohammed Smadi, CEO of Penguin, notes:

“A key use case that has tangible ROI is hand hygiene compliance. Being able to know who went where and when are keys to ensuring that compliance rules are adhered to.”

Dr Mohammed Smadi, CEO of Penguin.

Smart Solutions for Existing Infrastructure

Through dedicated research and strategic partnerships, Penguin has developed cost-effective retrofit solutions that upgrade existing dispensers with advanced compliance tracking capabilities. Benefits include:

  • Individual and ward-level compliance monitoring
  • Automated dispenser replenishment workflows
  • Real-time utilization tracking and reporting
  • Seamless integration with existing infrastructure

Patient Experience and Safety: A Technology-Enhanced Approach

The Foundation of Patient-Centric Care

Patient centricity stands as a fundamental pillar of CBAHI accreditation, with safety and experience as primary drivers. CBAHI standards emphasize:

  • Verification Protocols: Processes to prevent wrong patient, wrong site, and wrong procedure incidents
  • Identity Assurance: Systems ensuring correct patient identification at all touchpoints

Real-Time Tracking for Enhanced Safety

Penguin’s intelligent tracking solutions add crucial layers of compliance and traceability, significantly reducing unintentional errors. Our platform enables:

  • Real-time patient and staff location tracking
  • Schedule adherence monitoring
  • Physical area access verification
  • Complete audit trails for historical review and analysis

Digital Wayfinding: Reducing Errors and Improving Experience

To minimize medical errors, ESR CBAHI mandates clear navigation systems including accessible wayfinding for authorized staff and prominent information points at facility entrances.

Penguin’s Digital Wayfinding Solution offers:

  • Customizable multilingual directory listings
  • Easy content updates and modifications
  • Targeted infotainment messaging for patients and departments
  • Significant reduction in missed appointments
  • Integration with patient reminder systems
  • Measurably improved patient satisfaction scores

Medical Asset Management: Complete Supply Chain Visibility

CBAHI’s Comprehensive Asset Requirements

Healthcare facility management must ensure:

  • Timely provision of all medical supplies
  • Storage according to manufacturer specifications and optimal conditions
  • Regular inspection procedures and quality checks
  • Protection of supplies from theft, damage, or unauthorized access
  • Proper disposal of damaged and expired materials
  • Systematic reduction of resource waste

PenTrack: Intelligent Asset Intelligence

Effective medical asset tracking and management are essential for patient safety, cost reduction, regulatory compliance, and enhanced care quality. Penguin’s “PenTrack” family of products delivers:

    • Precision Location: Pin-point asset positioning throughout your facility
    • Proximity Awareness: Real-time tracking of equipment and supplies
    • AI-Powered Analytics: Advanced indoor analytics with intelligent data interpretation
    • Business Rules Engine: Automated actions triggered by specific conditions
    • Proactive Alerts: Instant notifications for critical asset events

Dental Clinic Standards: Specialized Safety Solutions

Critical Requirements for Dental Facilities

CBAHI dental clinic standards mandate:

  • Active staff health and safety programs
  • Immediate and consistent sanitation for healthcare providers and equipment

Comprehensive Protection Solutions

Penguin’s specialized solutions address these requirements with:

    • Duress Call Systems: Immediate emergency response for medical staff safety and security
    • Equipment Tracking: Real-time monitoring of dental instruments and machinery
    • Easy Deployment: Utilization of existing Wi-Fi infrastructure or simple on-premises BLE/Bluetooth solutions
    • Top-Rated Performance: Proven implementation success across multiple facilities

Operational Readiness: Advanced Tracking Systems

Critical Monitoring Capabilities

Modern healthcare facilities require sophisticated tracking systems for:

  • Neonatal Security: Protection against infant abduction with real-time monitoring
  • Sterilization Verification: Complete tracking of medical equipment sterilization cycles
  • Nurse Safety and Efficiency: Support for nurse calling systems and staff security protocols
  • Equipment Management: Monitoring dwell times in dirty and clean utility rooms
  • Maintenance Scheduling: Facility manager tools for tracking and scheduling preventive maintenance

Penguin’s Commitment to Healthcare Excellence

These are transformative times for healthcare technology. Penguin is proud to partner with healthcare providers throughout Saudi Arabia, delivering innovative solutions that address today’s most pressing challenges while preparing facilities for tomorrow’s opportunities.

 

About Penguin Location Services

Penguin is a leading indoor positioning and IoT solutions provider, headquartered in Irvine, California, with a regional office in Dubai. The company creates digital parallels for physical spaces, optimizing day-to-day processes and creating unique experiences for visitors and operators.

Penguin leverages all available radio and sensor information to provide state-of-the-art indoor positioning technology that builds ROI-driven use cases. Our solutions have proven successful in some of the world’s most challenging and demanding healthcare environments.

About CBAHI

The Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) is the official agency authorized to grant accreditation certificates to all governmental and private healthcare facilities operating in Saudi Arabia.

Established by the Saudi Health Council as a non-profit organization, CBAHI’s Essential Safety Requirements (ESR) set the healthcare quality and patient safety standards against which all healthcare facilities are evaluated for compliance evidence.

References

  1. QM.18, ESR Book, National Essential Safety Requirements by CBAHI
  2. QM.17, ESR Book, National Essential Safety Requirements by CBAHI
  3. IPC.4, ESR Book, National Essential Safety Requirements by CBAHI
  4. CBAHI Official Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/Cbahi_SA

 

 

CBAHI – A Saudi Approach to Improved Healthcare

Posted on by Issam AK

CBAHI – A Saudi Approach to Improved Healthcare Through Smart Technology

Saudi Arabia is transforming its healthcare sector through privatization. Moreover, this transformation occurs under tight monitoring by the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutes (CBAHI).

CBAHI aims to improve the patient, staff and visitor safety, service level and experience offered by all accredited institutes in the Kingdom. Additionally, it mandates the availability of tools to report errors during the service offering process.

Penguin’s CBAHI Compliance Solutions

Penguin has been refining its solutions to offer healthcare facilities tools that help satisfy such CBAHI accreditation requirements. Our solutions address key areas:

Preventing and Reporting Medical Errors and Improving Safety:

  • Ensuring that surgery is always done at the right place
  • Moreover, giving a newborn to the correct parents
  • Newborn safety using electronic tagging immediately from birth
  • Furthermore, ensuring compliance with infection control standards

Improving Patient Experience:

  • Offering external and internal wayfinding signage to assist in navigation
  • Additionally, this includes a navigate from home to clinic feature
  • Clear access and egress wayfinding for authorized hospital staff
  • Furthermore, availability of wayfinding boards and enquiry points at entrances

Enhancing Operational Readiness:

  • Neonatal tracking system to protect against abduction
  • Moreover, tracking the sterilization of medical equipment
  • Nurse tracking to support nurse calling systems and nurse safety
  • Additionally, equipment dwell times in dirty and clean rooms
  • Furthermore, system to support facility managers in tracking and scheduling maintenance for medical equipment

Supporting CBAHI Standards in Saudi Healthcare

These are interesting times. Moreover, Penguin is proud to be working with healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia to address these CBAHI compliance challenges.

To learn more about how Penguin can help your facility meet CBAHI accreditation standards, please send us an email to [email protected]

 

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