Top 3 Reasons Why RTLS is a Must-Have for Healthcare

The healthcare industry is a constant symphony of activity. From bustling emergency rooms to meticulous surgical suites, efficient communication and resource management are essential for patient care. However, for the heroes on the frontlines – our nurses, doctors, and staff – ensuring their safety amidst this pressure is paramount.
One technological advancement playing a pivotal role in achieving this goal is Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS). These systems utilize various technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), or Ultra-Wideband (UWB), to track the location of people and equipment within a facility in real-time. But why are RTLS solutions becoming critical in healthcare? Here are the top 3 reasons:
1. Ensuring Staff Safety: A Business Imperative
The healthcare environment can be fraught with unforeseen situations. Healthcare workers experience violence at a rate five times higher than the national average. In 2023 alone, a staggering 453,000 nonfatal workplace injuries were reported in the healthcare industry.
RTLS solutions empower healthcare organizations to respond swiftly to emergencies. If a medical professional experiences a physical assault, their location can be pinpointed instantly, allowing security to intervene rapidly. Discreet duress buttons on mobile solutions staff carry can send silent alerts to designated personnel, ensuring quicker intervention in critical situations. For staff working in isolated areas, RTLS can trigger alerts if they remain immobile for an unusual period, prompting a well-being check. These features collectively ensure the safety of healthcare workers and provide peace of mind for both staff and patients.
Beyond the moral imperative of safeguarding staff, violence in healthcare has a significant financial impact. It’s estimated that hospitals spend a mind-blowing $428.5 million annually due to workplace violence. RTLS solutions can potentially mitigate these costs by minimizing the impact of such incidents with faster incident response.
2. Optimizing Equipment and People Management
RTLS solutions not only ensure staff safety but also offer significant benefits for equipment and people management. Real-time tracking allows staff to quickly locate crucial devices, eliminating wasted time and minimizing delays. By analyzing usage patterns, hospitals can optimize equipment utilization, ensuring resources are deployed where they are needed most. Additionally, RTLS facilitates real-time communication among staff, enabling quicker responses and improved collaboration. By tracking staff location and activity, hospitals can also optimize staffing levels, ensuring adequate personnel are available in areas of high demand.
3. Enhanced Patient Experience
By implementing RTLS solutions, healthcare organizations can significantly enhance the patient experience. Real-time tracking of staff and equipment allows for faster response times, reducing patient wait times for essential services. RTLS-powered wayfinding systems can guide patients and visitors to their desired destinations, reducing confusion and stress. Moreover, real-time communication among staff facilitated by RTLS ensures that patient needs are addressed promptly and effectively. These improvements in operational efficiency and patient experience can lead to higher patient satisfaction scores and positive word-of-mouth, fostering a more patient-centric environment.
By prioritizing staff safety and optimizing resource management, RTLS solutions can unlock tremendous value for both healthcare providers and the patients they serve. As technology continues to evolve, Spectralink remains committed to providing innovative RTLS solutions that empower healthcare heroes to deliver the best possible care, while ensuring their own safety and well-being. Key partnerships with Sonitor and AiRISTA have fueled powerful staff safety solutions always in reach through seamless integration with our Versity 97 healthcare-optimized devices.
Ready to unlock the power of RTLS for your healthcare organization? Contact Spectralink today to learn more about our innovative solutions and how they can create a safer, more efficient healthcare environment.