Materials Tracking

RFID has also set its foot on patient safety solutions and has generated significant results in the industry, thus allowing for better patient flow and better utilization of clinical staff.

Managing patient flow is one of the hot topics for any hospital. Being able to locate staff in emergencies can save lives. Plus, being able to know at any time where a medical device can be found makes all the difference. Today's tracking technologies can generate significant cost savings derived from more accurate data collection. This includes the passive collection of data concurrent with the seamless flow of patient information throughout the hospital experience. The goal when implementing any of these systems should include automatic information collection to allow for improving quality of care, improving productivity, reducing redundancy in processes, decreasing errors, reducing overall operating costs, while increasing rapid availability of essential information, all without placing additional demands on the caregiver.

Currently there are some software used which allows for real-time data collection of patient location and care status utilizing most major tracking technology platforms including infrared, active RFID, and ultra-wideband hardware. Unlike traditional operating suite tracking systems which require manual updates by busy OR staff, the software collects location data without manual intervention thereby enabling OR staff to focus on care giving. The software incorporates rules-based intelligence to translate interactions between staff, equipment and patients, measured by communications between tracking badges and sensors, to identify and time-stamp the progression of care for each patient. This information can be used to quickly identify patient flow bottlenecks and alert OR staff. The system integrates with existing communication tools such as nurse call and wireless phones to send and receive patient information updates thereby becoming a centralized communication base for all patient movement.

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