Wi-Fi-based RTLS to boost efficiencies, ROI at Florida hospital

Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, Fla., has joined the growing ranks of hospitals nationwide that are leveraging their Wi-Fi networks for data and voice communications.

The 316-bed acute care hospital has implemented Ekahau's Wi-Fi-based RTLS solution for a variety of hospital-wide asset tracking, workflow and management applications.

Recognized in 2007 as one of America's best hospitals, according to U.S. News & World Report, Flagler utilizes a campus-wide wireless LAN from Cisco for a variety of clinical and IT applications. Now that same Wi-Fi network will be leveraged by its asset tracking system to support the organization's equipment inventory control and utilization, tracking several thousand clinical assets, such as infusion pumps, patient monitors and IT assets.

More location-based applications are expected to be added in the near future, including staff and patient location tracking and temperature monitoring.

RTLS system performance typically is measured by two key parameters: accuracy and latency. Ekahau's patented RF algorithms, coupled with a unique calibration methodology, deliver accuracy down to room level. And because it is certified by and operates over Cisco Wi-Fi networks, which provide real-time communications, Ekahau RTLS is able to transmit and process location data within seconds.

Chris Mele, Administrator of Supply Chain Management at Flagler Hospital, credits the Reston, Va.-based vendor with demonstrating exactly how its RTLS offering could be leveraged for a wide range of applications that would improve ROI for the hospital over the long term.