Real Time Location Systems in HealthcareGayatri RathodBiomedical and Health Informatics MPS CandidateNovember 30, 2016

Outline• RTLS Background• How RTLS Works• Levels of RTLS• Current RTLS Applications and Data Analytics• State of Regulations and Patient Protection

RTLS is the real-time tracking of people or assets: the new “smart hospital”

Secure Care

Monitoring patientsTracking and managing equipmentImproving patient flowMonitoring workflow processesManaging medical inventory

RTLS uses location sensors to transmit signals to middleware

Various RTLS solutions can report tag location at different resolutions

• Presence-based locating: location within a given area• Room level: tag location as present in a specific room• Sub-room level: RTLS locates tag to a specific part of the room• Choke points: tag location is returned by a specific choke point

(an entry or exit point)• By associating: tag location is returned as proximity with respect

to another tag• Locating precisely: the exact tag location is pinpointed precisely

on a map of the world and/or a detailed indoor map/in a given building

RTLS analytics can be used to optimize operational workflows• Factors can negatively impact fiscal performance and patient

satisfaction o Delays in case start times, turnover rates and inefficient

supply chain• Use location and interaction of patients and providers

involved in a procedure• Eliminate obstacles and automatically contact providers at the

right time to reduce delays and wait times. • Identify Roadblocks to care progression are also automatically

identified

RTLS regulations are in progress by the FDA and FTC• Assessed benefits and advantages• Conducted surveys and made policy recommendations

o HIPAA privacy and security rules should be examined to assess whether they meet new challenges

• State-based regulations on GPS and cell-phone tracking vary• Potential Risks

o Surveillance and safety versus privacy o Cybersecurity issueso Lack of pre-existing data

References[1] Kamel Boulos, Maged N, and Geoff Berry. “Real-Time Locating Systems (RTLS) in Healthcare: A Condensed Primer.” International Journal of Health Geographics 11 (2012): 25. PMC. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.[2] "AwarepointBlog." RTLS Leverages Data and Analytics to Enhance Efficiency and Drive Financial Returns | SaaS for Healthcare. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.[3] FTC. Transatlantic Symposium on the Societal Benefits of RFID (n.d.): n. pag. 22 Sept. 2008. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.[4] FDA. MedSun Newsletter #66, November 2011. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Real Time Locating Systems (RTLS): MedSun Small Sample Survey Summary. Nov. 2011