Considerations for tracking assets and beyond
As health systems search for solutions to optimize operations in the face of declining revenue and higher costs, they are turning to real-time locating systems (RTLS).
As luck would have it, a logical place to begin RTLS initiatives is with asset tracking, putting Clinical Engineering and Biomedical teams at the forefront of this important decision.
There are a variety of vendors to choose from, each using different RTLS technologies. How do you know which technology is right for you? Here are several questions that will help guide you on your journey to RTLS success.
What are your short- and long-range goals for RTLS?
Asset tracking is an easily understood and common application with tangible benefits. Hospitals and health systems should also ask, “How else can I leverage my RTLS investment?”
There are a wide range of possibilities, from knowing the general location of assets to advanced patient flow applications that increase capacity in operating rooms, emergency departments and hospital-wide.
The hardware requirements and necessary expertise can be vastly different for each end of the spectrum. Determining which initiatives you want RTLS to support in the future will help you make the right decision today.
For more about the many applications of RTLS and their benefits, an educational booklet is available at versustech.com/operations.
What level of precision do you need to achieve your goals?
Different technologies offer different levels of locating precision (see sidebar). Consider your needs now, and for your long-range vision.
While it makes sense to start with the relatively low investment of tracking assets with Wi-Fi, it’s important to understand exactly what you get with this technology.
Systems that rely solely on Wi-Fi cannot achieve definitive room-level precision, as Wi-Fi signals pass through walls and ceilings.
A system that points you in the right direction of a recalled IV pump is certainly an improvement over no locating system, and it’s an excellent place to begin. Yet without the ability to know exact locations, additional applications for RTLS are limited.
Is the PCA pump in a patient room or the clean supply closet next door? Is the nurse in patient room 104 or 105? Is the patient in post-op bay 6 or 7? Without this definitive location information, you won’t be able to understand asset utilization, manage par levels of equipment, or advance into clinical workflow automation without additional infrastructure.
Most Wi-Fi systems offer the ability to add a complimentary room-level technology such as infrared or ultrasound, but the costs and necessary hardware vary widely from vendor to vendor. The right RTLS will allow you to easily and affordably scale up as your needs grow.
What is the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)?
The question of precision directly correlates to the level of infrastructure and the cost of ownership over time. It’s important to understand not only the initial price, but also what it will cost to implement additional infrastructure for advanced applications. TCO can also include batteries (for both sensors/receivers and badges/tags), battery disposal (are the batteries considered hazardous waste?), and staff time to manage the overall RTLS network.
Another consideration is how additional hardware affects the aesthetics of patient care areas. Does the vendor use several pieces of large equipment to determine bed-, bay- or chair-level location? Or is the hardware minimal and unobtrusive?
These are just a few considerations for this important investment that can have wide-ranging impact on the operational efficiency of your health system for years to come. Looking at the big picture today will put you on the path to long-range RTLS success.
Levels of Locating Precision
1. Zone-level Example: (Example: 5th Floor North Wing)
A typical hospital Wi-Fi network deployed for Internet usage will provide zone-level location information. It can point you in the direction of a tagged asset, but can’t tell you exactly where it is.
2. Estimated vs Definitive Room-level (Example: Room 104)
Wi-Fi networks with a higher density of access points are better able to estimate locations. Yet because these signals pass through walls and ceilings, the data is not reliably accurate.
Wi-Fi RTLS users often see locations reported in a nearby room or even on the floor above or below the actual location.
To confidently report actual locations, an RTLS must add a complimentary technology (i.e., infrared or ultrasound). This infrastructure is necessary for advanced locating applications such as:
- Asset Utilization Metrics
- Par-Level Asset Management
- Clinical Workflow Automation
- Patient Flow Applications
3. Bed-level (Example: Beds 104A and 104B)
4. Bay-level (Example: Pre-op Bay 5)
5. Chair-level (Example: Infusion Chair 2)
Many advanced applications require the RTLS to monitor multiple locations within a room:
- Nurse rounding logs and reminders
- Oncology workflow automation
- OR patient flow
Both the cost and aesthetics of the necessary hardware vary widely from vendor to vendor. These will be important considerations in your decision.
The costs and necessary hardware for more precise locating vary widely from vendor to vendor.
For additional information about Versus, visit www.VersusTech.com.