Location accuracy of real-time locating systems can significantly impact a hospital's return on investment, according to a TeleTracking white paper (pdf).
The paper, "RTLS Location Accuracy and its Affect on Hospital ROI," outlines 10 reasons why the accuracy of RTLS is important:
1. Staff utilization and satisfaction. If the RTLS does not provide a specific location, staff may have more difficulty adopting the technology, jeopardizing a hospital's benefit from a RTLS.
2. Asset tracking vs. asset management. Asset management — having specific information about equipment utilization — provides more information than only asset tracking — knowing approximately where something is.
3. Maximize your ROI. Asset management applications, which drive ROI for RTLS, derive their value from more specific location accuracy.
4. Theft/loss. More specific location information can better prevent theft and loss.
5. Equipment utilization. Data on specific locations of equipment provide more useful information when assessing equipment utilization.
6. Par levels. More specific RTLS can ensure the maintenance of usable par levels.
7. Rental management. Only specific location accuracy can determine when rental assets are in a patient care area beyond its clinical need.
8. Asset management in the operating room. Specific locations can avoid delays in the OR due to searching for equipment.
9. Patient safety/order to care delivery time. The specificity of location data can mean the difference between life and death when clinicians have to find equipment for critical care patients.
10. Patient billing. Specific location information can help hospitals confirm the equipment and staff resources spent in a patient room for billing purposes.
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The paper, "RTLS Location Accuracy and its Affect on Hospital ROI," outlines 10 reasons why the accuracy of RTLS is important:
1. Staff utilization and satisfaction. If the RTLS does not provide a specific location, staff may have more difficulty adopting the technology, jeopardizing a hospital's benefit from a RTLS.
2. Asset tracking vs. asset management. Asset management — having specific information about equipment utilization — provides more information than only asset tracking — knowing approximately where something is.
3. Maximize your ROI. Asset management applications, which drive ROI for RTLS, derive their value from more specific location accuracy.
4. Theft/loss. More specific location information can better prevent theft and loss.
5. Equipment utilization. Data on specific locations of equipment provide more useful information when assessing equipment utilization.
6. Par levels. More specific RTLS can ensure the maintenance of usable par levels.
7. Rental management. Only specific location accuracy can determine when rental assets are in a patient care area beyond its clinical need.
8. Asset management in the operating room. Specific locations can avoid delays in the OR due to searching for equipment.
9. Patient safety/order to care delivery time. The specificity of location data can mean the difference between life and death when clinicians have to find equipment for critical care patients.
10. Patient billing. Specific location information can help hospitals confirm the equipment and staff resources spent in a patient room for billing purposes.
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Patient Flow: 'Getting On Board and Out of the Hallway'