As a hospital administrator, you’re in a constant state of planning and scheduling to keep things running as smoothly as possible across the hospital. Everything from managing medical inventory, through to patient monitoring and medical authentication is driving efficiencies to improve your per patient care and satisfaction. However, achieving a fine balance between implementing technology, and gaining efficiencies may be harder to achieve in reality.

Let’s take a look at just one of the ways you can invest in technology that will drive change and improve efficiencies in your hospital. RFID technology is being used in many applications across healthcare, however inventory management seems to be the winner with a third of all RFID applications centred around keeping track of medical equipment. This tracking can help plan your resource demands and prevent loss of valuable equipment.

In 2008 the federal government implemented the National Hand Hygiene Initiative, directing hospitals to conduct regular checks and report back on Hand Hygiene activities.

The main concern is that most hand hygiene compliance programs suffer from inadequate monitoring and lack of effective process control. Using RFID, hospitals can now implement an automated method of capturing hygiene activities. When coupled with motion sensors and readers the system can accurately identify the staff member, what time, and the duration spent at either the wash bays or at disinfectant dispensers. By implementing RFID solutions across areas such as patient tracking, surgical instrument tracking and most importantly hand hygiene practices, you will reduce costs whilst providing unparalleled levels of patient care.

Loading...

Improved Asses Utilisation

Having the ability to track medical equipment and inventory improves asset utilisation giving in quicker response times resulting in higher levels of patient care

Loss Reduction in Valuable Equipment

Locating valuable equipment at a glance and implementing virtual barriers, hospitals will reduce the amount of lost or stolen equipment. Alerts can be sent to managers when equipment leaves a predetermined  virtual barrier, providing real-time locale of the medical equipment.

Safety & Compliance

Reducing time spent on inventorying can provide a significant cost reduction to the hospital. RFID helps keep track of instruments that need to be maintained, calibrated, sharpened or sterilised after a specific number of usage cycles

Improved profitability

Meeting the 2008 federal government National Hand Hygiene Initiative requirements by automating the capture of hygiene behaviours through RFID readers, giving you accurate reporting on overall hospital, or individual hygiene levels.