There is no doubt that the smooth operation of hospitals is affected by the quality of the services they provide and how many patients they can serve. Improving processes is possible in a relatively simple way – implement solutions that offer new technologies, first and foremost RTLS. What is RTLS technology, and how does it streamline the work of hospitals? You can read about it in this article!
What is RTLS technology?
A real-time location system (in short, RTLS) is used to identify the location of resources or people within a defined area – this could be the entire hospital, its departments or a selected other area. The objects that we want to locate quickly have ID tags or badges. They transmit a wireless signal with their unique identifier. Sensors placed in selected locations then receive these signals and use them to identify the location of the tagged item or person. The data processed in this way is available in a single, centralized place, from which the location of people or assets can be retrieved 24/7 by logging into the dedicated system in real-time.
RTLS technology – how does it work?
RTLS systems use one of several available technologies, which are selected individually depending on needs. Passive RFID systems work similarly to those used in shops to prevent theft. Their advantage is their low cost. Active RFID technology, on the other hand, uses battery-powered tags, which, although slightly more expensive, provide more capabilities and flexibility. Bluetooth, meanwhile, is considered one of the best technologies for real-time location. Long battery life, room-level accuracy and inexpensive tags make it a top-rated solution by users.
In contrast, Wi-Fi is chosen when we want to use the existing WLAN infrastructure for location rather than, i.e. beacons. Infrared systems can also be used for real-time locations, which are relatively cheap, but with the need to install sensors within sight of each tag, the cost of the whole system can be considerable. Therefore, these are primarily suitable for locating fixed objects. Finally, UWB technology is also used, which is very precise but is much more expensive than Bluetooth.
RTLS technology in the medical sector
RTLS systems in hospitals save time and money, improve productivity as well as patient satisfaction. They can be used to track medical equipment, locate staff or give directions. RTLS systems improve workflow in individual hospital departments by facilitating the movement of patients from waiting rooms to doctors’ offices. Equipment necessary for diagnosis and treatment can be easily found, increasing patient safety and saving lives. RTLS systems also ensure better utilization of hospital rooms, as medical staff can access information on patient and equipment movements in real time.
Smooth hospital operation – only with modern RTLS systems
If you are interested in implementing an RTLS system in healthcare, please get in touch with us. Kontakt.io has many years of experience in implementing real-time location systems, and the individual approach we provide to each client guarantees the implementation of a tailor-made solution!
