7 Ways RTLS Software Improves Healthcare with Application Interoperability

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7 Ways RTLS Software Improves Healthcare with Application Interoperability

As the healthcare sector continuously adopts new technologies to improve care, a careful examination of the effectiveness of digital advancements becomes imperative. Amid this review, the convergence of Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) health care, automation, and application interoperability emerges as a transformative influence, redefining the operational landscape of healthcare facilities.

What is Interoperability in RTLS healthcare?

In healthcare, interoperability denotes the capacity of diverse information technology systems and software applications to communicate, exchange data, and utilize the shared information efficiently.

This involves some choke points like the seamless sharing of health information among various healthcare systems, encompassing electronic health record (EHR) systems, medical devices, and other health information technologies.

The integration of location services

The incorporation of location technologies, real time tracking, status, and sensory data into existing technological frameworks is key for achieving improved location accuracy. This integration serves as a central requirement, facilitating the efficient coordination of diverse components within the system. By strategically merging location data with pre-existing technological investments, healthcare facilities can optimize operational processes and enhance the experience of caregivers and improve patient care.

With this foundational understanding, let’s delve into the pivotal role that healthcare RTLS system plays within this framework. We will highlight the top 7 aspects of the use of RTLS in healthcare that affirm its significance within the broader context of interoperability and its transformative impact in the respective industry.

1. Unified Integration Standards

A RTLS healthcare system should smoothly sync with and enhance the current technologies and IT infrastructure in healthcare settings. It ought to seamlessly meld into the existing IT framework, creating a fluid and engaging partnership with other technological components used in the healthcare facility. This ensures a seamless exchange of information among diverse healthcare systems, streamlining the often-tricky process of integrating data in healthcare environments.

2. User-Friendly Adoption

Streamlining workflows becomes more than a convenience when healthcare RTLS applications can prioritize user-friendly features to accelerate adoption. By minimizing training periods and creating an environment favorable to technology acceptance, healthcare staff can efficiently incorporate healthcare RTLS solutions and RTLS technology into their routines, leading to increased productivity and satisfaction.

3. Resource Optimization

Beyond its real-time tracking capabilities, effective healthcare real time location services address the challenge of resource optimization. By providing insights into asset utilization, staff allocation, and equipment availability, healthcare facilities can minimize unnecessary expenses, ensuring a more efficient allocation of resources.

4. Real-Time Patient Data Access

The automatic integration of location data with Electronic Health Records (EHR) is likely the most critical of all. This integration empowers healthcare providers with timely and accurate information, enabling them to make informed decisions promptly. Through received signals in real-time, they bridge the gap between RTLS healthcare systems and EHR, further enhancing patient care and contributing to more efficient and effective healthcare delivery. This advanced integration can also automatically populate billing and coding needs natively, saving administrative time and ensuring invoicing is accurate.

5. Facilitated Communication

Integrating functionalities such as nurse call systems and staff duress alerts with the RTLS network adds an additional layer of communication efficiency. Through the use of active RFID tags and RTLS for urgent care, this ensures that healthcare staff can promptly respond to patient needs or emergencies. RFID tags communicated via infrared IR to further enhance the overall responsiveness and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.

One study showed that the majority of a nurse’s time, specifically 38.6% (equivalent to 214.2 minutes), was observed to be spent at the nurse station, with less than one-third (171 minutes) allocated in the patient room. This highlights an opportunity for healthcare RTLS software to play a crucial role in optimizing a nurse’s time, redirecting their efforts towards more valuable actions.

6. Proactive Security Measures

In healthcare settings, health and safety RTLS systems should make security a top priority. They safeguard both staff and patient information, keep tabs on activities, and offer administrators improved visibility. This enhanced visibility empowers administrators to take proactive measures, ensuring comprehensive safety and adherence to data protection standards.

7. Strategic Investment

Viewing RTLS for healthcare solutions as strategic investments involves aligning them with the long-term vision and goals of healthcare facilities. Beyond immediate gains, this approach considers the scalability, adaptability, and future-proofing of the technology, ensuring that the investment continues to add value as the healthcare landscape evolves.

Technology Talks: BLE 5.1 in RTLS for Hospitals for Simplicity and Affordability

At the core of the user-friendly and cost-effective nature of RTLS healthcare applications lies Bluetooth Low Energy 5.1 (BLE). This technology not only guarantees technical robustness but also ensures compatibility with ease. BLE 5.1, with its array of versatile RTLS tags, minimal power consumption, and extensive compatibility, serves as the foundational element enabling healthcare RTLS applications to seamlessly integrate into healthcare settings. This harmonious integration is a testament to the interoperability facilitated by BLE 5.1, providing both technical excellence and adaptability within the healthcare environment.

SEE ALSO: https://penguinin.com/ultra-wideband-uwb-vs-bluetooth-low-energy-ble-5-1/

Penguin Location Service ™

In the realm of healthcare, the thoughtful application of real-time tracking can make a significant impact on staff and patient safety, as well as operational efficiency. This is where Penguin steps into space, offering a thoughtful approach to healthcare. PenTrack, a family of products and mobile devices, is caringly designed to provide not just prompt but also cost-effective results. We offer the necessary hardware and software along with our advanced AI-powered location engine, ensuring efficiency and precision. Our solutions seamlessly integrate into physical and software environments with minimal disruption, aligning perfectly with diverse settings.

Discover the thoughtful future of healthcare with Penguin. Book your free consultation today: [email protected]


References 

1. Hendrick A, Chow M, Skierczynski B, and Lu Z. A 36-Hospital Time and Motion Study: How Do Medical-Surgical Nurses Spend Their Time? The Permanente Journal. 2008;12(3):25–34.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3408320/#B1

ROI and Use Cases: Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) in Healthcare

As we address pain points that can be solved with RTLS, we naturally gravitate towards healthcare problems. In today’s world, having a well-structured digital foundation is vital. The use of RTLS is gradually becoming an essential addition to every healthcare facility, prioritizing patient safety and optimizing services while ensuring smooth operations where mistakes are minimized. This article provides insights into the important use cases of RTLS solutions and the quantifiable ROI it brings.

 

Use Cases

Asset Management and Optimization: RTLS enables precise tracking and management of crucial medical assets, such as infusion pumps, wheelchairs, and monitoring devices. By efficiently locating and monitoring these assets in real-time, healthcare facilities experience reduced downtime, minimized equipment loss, and increased asset utilization rates.

Enhanced Patient Safety: With RTLS, patient safety takes center stage. Hospitals can monitor patient movements, prevent elopement incidents, and optimize patient flow. Real-time alerts and notifications ensure timely responses to emergencies, fostering an environment of enhanced patient security and care.

Streamlined Workflows: RTLS optimizes staff movements, streamlining workflows and resource allocation. This leads to reduced wait times for patients, improved staff productivity, and ultimately, better patient experiences.

Contact Tracing: RTLS plays a critical role in maintaining infection control protocols within healthcare facilities. By tracking the movements of medical staff and patients, hospitals can quickly identify and contain potential outbreaks. RTLS data can also be used to analyze patterns of contact and potential transmission, facilitating targeted interventions to prevent the spread of infections.

Hand Hygiene Monitoring: Hand hygiene compliance is vital for patient safety. RTLS enables real-time monitoring of healthcare professionals’ handwashing practices, ensuring adherence to protocols and reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Immediate feedback promotes a culture of awareness, enhancing patient outcomes. Analyzing compliance trends aids staff training, elevating patient care with PenguinIN’s comprehensive RTLS solutions. Discover how RTLS revolutionizes hand hygiene for North American healthcare facilities.


 

ROI Drivers –

Cost Savings from Asset Utilization: Research conducted in North American hospitals has highlighted the substantial financial impact of asset theft and loss. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the annual cost of hospital equipment losses, attributed to theft or misplacement, can possibly range from $4000 to $12,000 per bed. 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 can help hospitals accommodate more patients. A 15% increase in patient throughput, reported in several case studies, 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. This reduction ensures patient safety and mitigates potential legal liabilities, protecting hospitals from substantial financial consequences.


 

PenguinIN: An Affordable RTLS Provider with a Simplified Managed System

PenguinIN takes pride in offering a cost-effective and user-friendly RTLS solution that caters to the specific needs of healthcare providers. Our simplified managed solutions (PENTRACK & PENNAV) ensure seamless integration into existing infrastructures, eliminating the need for complex and costly installations.

Through our advanced tracking technology, healthcare facilities can optimize asset utilization, streamline workflows, and enhance patient safety, all while achieving significant cost savings. With PenguinIN as a reliable RTLS partner, hospitals can focus on delivering top-notch patient care, confident in the knowledge that their operational efficiency and ROI are maximized.

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


 

Conclusion

The ROI of Real-Time Location Systems in the healthcare industry is undeniable, with North American healthcare facilities experiencing substantial cost savings, improved patient care, and optimized operations.

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, RTLS emerges as a transformative solution, bringing precision and efficiency to healthcare operations. PenguinIN’s affordable RTLS offering, coupled with a simplified managed system, positions us as a leading provider in the market, empowering healthcare organizations to unlock the true potential of RTLS and thrive in an era of precision healthcare. With a multitude of use cases, RTLS becomes an indispensable tool in elevating healthcare services to new levels of excellence.

With PenguinIN 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