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October 10, 2024 | 4 minute

Modern Healthcare Technology: 7 Ways RTLS Improves Patient Safety

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Patient safety is absolutely critical in today’s modern healthcare systems. And leveraging new and emerging technology to keep patients safe not only improves patient outcomes but also saves money and increases staff satisfaction.

As healthcare continues to evolve, technologies like RTLS are becoming indispensable tools in safeguarding patient safety. From preventing falls and medication errors to reducing the risk of elopement and improving infection control, RTLS offers comprehensive solutions that address some of the most pressing safety challenges in healthcare today.

1. Patient room of the future

Nurse badges and patient room displays can help monitor medication administration and ensure proper communication between staff and patients. For example, when a nurse enters a patient’s room to administer medication, the system logs this interaction in real-time, recording which nurse provided the medication and at what time. This information is then displayed on a digital whiteboard for the patient’s room, providing a clear, visual confirmation for both the nursing team and the patient.

If a scheduled dose is missed or delayed, the system can trigger an alert to notify staff, helping ensure that patients never miss critical medications. This comprehensive tracking method significantly reduces the chances of medication errors, ensures clear accountability, and enhances patient confidence in their care, all while keeping patient safety at the forefront of care delivery.

2. Patient elopement

RTLS can be a critical tool in preventing elopement. With the real-time location of patients, healthcare staff can monitor high-risk individuals and receive alerts if they approach unauthorized exits or restricted areas. These alerts allow staff to take immediate action, preventing patients from wandering into dangerous situations outside the facility. Additionally, RTLS systems can be integrated with door-locking mechanisms to automatically secure doors if a high-risk patient approaches, adding another layer of protection.

3. Emergency response

Response time is everything, particularly in emergency situations. When a patient experiences a medical emergency like a heart attack or an accidental fall, healthcare providers need to act fast to prevent adverse outcomes. RTLS enables hospitals and clinics to shorten response times significantly by providing real-time updates on the location of patients, staff, and medical equipment. In critical moments, these real-time alerts can make all the difference in patient outcomes.

4. Equipment management

With RTLS, hospitals can track the location and status of vital medical devices like ventilators, infusion pumps, and defibrillators in real time. This technology ensures that staff can quickly locate necessary equipment and verify their functionality before use.

Beyond equipment location, RTLS can also help monitor maintenance schedules for devices. By tracking the usage and condition of equipment, RTLS can automatically notify the maintenance team when a machine is due for servicing or repairs. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of equipment failure during patient care and ensures that hospitals are always equipped with properly functioning tools.

5. Infection control and contact tracing

Real-time location services can report on contact tracing if a staff member tests positive for contagious illnesses. It can also enable hospitals to isolate affected areas, initiate cleaning protocols, and alert individuals who may have been exposed to the virus, all while maintaining patient safety.

Plus, with a hand hygiene solution, automatic reminders can be triggered when clinical staff enter or leave a room, with precise identification without the need for manual inputs.

6. Compliance and protocols

RTLS helps ensure that staff follow established patient safety guidelines by providing data on workflow efficiency, patient interactions, and equipment usage. If there’s a deviation from protocol—such as a piece of equipment being used improperly or a patient not receiving scheduled care—the system can alert administrators, allowing them to address issues before they escalate.

Additionally, hospitals can use RTLS data to audit their processes, identify improvement areas, and implement changes that enhance patient safety. By continuously monitoring and analyzing real-time data, healthcare organizations can remain proactive in maintaining a safe environment for patients and staff.

7. Patient flow optimization

RTLS enhances patient flow management by providing real-time updates on patient location throughout their care journey. This prevents bottlenecks, ensures timely care delivery, and improves overall safety by minimizing wait times and reducing overcrowded areas.

Monitoring the real-time journey of a patient from admission to discharge, with AI-driven data analytics, can uncover trends and patterns in patient and staff throughput to power proactive alignments with resources whenever and wherever they may be needed.

A safer healthcare system with RTLS

Real-time location services transform how hospitals operate, allowing for faster response times, enhanced security, and improved compliance with safety protocols. In an industry where patient safety is crucial, RTLS is helping to shape a safer, more efficient future for healthcare providers and the individuals they care for.

RTLS is more than just technology—it’s the backbone of a safer, more efficient healthcare system. Use it to empower your team and provide a better patient experience.