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

Announcement icon Our AI + Operational Intelligence White Paper is ready now! Click here to download .

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

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

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

Never miss an update!

Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter

We'll never share your email with anyone else.