Finding a Place for Real Time Location Systems in Healthcare (Strategic Focus)

RTLS, particularly the use of radio frequency identification (RFID), have been a hot topic in healthcare circles recently. Despite the buzz, however, adoption has been slow. This report will examine RTLS in healthcare and determine if the hype around it is deserved.

Report Highlights
Decreased costs, increased efficiencies and better patient care are driving RTLS adoption

RTLS is a 'nice to have,' not a 'must have' yet

Increased standardization and advanced functionality are trends in the RTLS market
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Overview 1
Catalyst 1
Summary 1
Key Messages 2
Decreased costs, increased efficiencies and better patient care are driving RTLS adoption 2
RTLS is a 'nice to have,' not a 'must have' yet 2
Increased standardization and advanced functionality are trends in the RTLS market 2
3
Table of figures 3
Market Opportunity 4
Providers have turned into hunter-gatherers; RTLS lets them focus on providing care again 4
RTLS provides one of the most tangible ROIs of any healthcare technology solution 5
Within a short time frame, asset tracking decreases hospital costs 5
Workflow patterns are streamlined at every level of RTLS implementation 6
RTLS noticeably improves patient care and patient and employee satisfaction 6
Healthcare organizations are lost in the RTLS market 7
Providers are confused by the number of different solutions and companies in the RTLS space 8
Researchers question the accuracy, safety and privacy implications of RTLS technology 8
RTLS is a 'nice to have,' not a 'must-have' yet 8
Technology Evolution 10
Providers should be able to mix and match RTLS solutions on a standardized platform 10
Vendors are adding bells and whistles to RTLS, but end users will decide which are useful 10
RTLS vendor partnerships: co-opetition is on the rise 12
Actions 13
Recommendations for healthcare organizations 13
Leveraging existing Wi-Fi networks for RTLS is more cost-effective for providers 13
Testing, testing, one two three... with the input of end users, RTLS must be tested in the hospital 13
Hospitals should expect 110% from their vendors and work with them to improve RTLS 13
Recommendations for technology vendors 13
Continuing medical education: vendors need to increase RTLS awareness 14
RTLS companies must be interoperable with other RTLS and other healthcare technologies 14
RTLS healthcare-specific technology needs to continue to mature 14
APPENDIX 15
Abbreviations 15
Methodology 15
Further reading 15
Ask the analyst 16
Datamonitor consulting 16
Disclaimer 16
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Figure 1: North American and European hospital adoption of clinical applications in 2008 (n=150) 5
Figure 2: North American and European hospitals' priorities for the next six months (n=150) 9
Figure 3: RTLS technology varies from basic to advanced 11
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