Case Study: A 400-Bed Acute Care Facility Gains Efficiency And Reduces Delays With The Awarepoint System

Hospitals across the nation understand that transportation is an important aspect of patient throughput. Whether patients are taken for a procedure, being transferred to another unit or need assistance during discharge, efficient transportation is vital. Not only is transportation important to patient flow, it is also a point of contact for over 30% of inpatients and an opportunity to make a positive impression. Patient transport is often delayed when a wheelchair or gurney can not be located. Both patients and staff wait while transporters scramble to find the necessary equipment. When transporters are unable to attend to a patient, clinical staff assists. Understanding the importance of patient transportation, the executive team at a 400-bed hospital decided to pilot Awarepoint's asset tracking system and test its impact on operational efficiency. The Awarepoint system made an immediate impact by allowing transporters the ability to instantly locate equipment, complete additional patient transports and better attend to patients' needs.

The Business Challenge: Transporting Patients More Efficiently
The main building of the hospital has an expansive layout with two wings of patient rooms and 150,000 square feet. For transporters, the challenge is locating the necessary equipment to efficiently transport patients. Before the Awarepoint system, searching for a wheelchair or gurney could take transporters anywhere from 15 to 40 minutes. When transportation staff is unable to respond quickly, patients experience delays and clinical staff assists with transport.