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

Publication Date	December 2008
Publisher	Datamonitor
Product Type	Report
Pages	17
ISBN Number	not applicable
Product Code	DAT14047

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Summary

Introduction

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.

Scope

Identifies the key barriers to greater RTLS adoption
Provides examples of RTLS applications in healthcare
Analyzes the current trends in the RTLS market

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

Reasons to Purchase

Understand where RTLS is today and where it will be in the near future
Identify strategies that will increase RTLS adoption

Content

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