Real-Time Locating Systems In Healthcare, RTLS Tag, RTLS Device, and Radio Frequency Communication Resources Real-Time Locating Systems In Healthcare, RTLS Tag, RTLS Device, and Radio Frequency Communication Resources

FEATURED ARTICLES: RTLS

CASE STUDIES & WHITE PAPERS

  • Hospital CIOs: Address — Don't Ignore — BYOD Pressures
    7/30/2012

    When it comes to optimizing their facilities’ communications infrastructure, policies and management,
    hospital CIOs are under enormous pressure to break out of some previously unassailable comfort
    zones. 

  • University Of Mississippi Medical Center Finds Quick RTLS ROI
    6/6/2012

    This case study outlines the many values of RTLS (real-time location systems) and monitoring systems in healthcare, and how the University of Mississippi Medical Center realized a return on its investment in RTLS and temperature monitoring in less than two years.

  • 10 Point Guide To Selecting The Right Mobile Computer Cart
    5/16/2012

    The evaluation and selection pro­cess of mobile carts can be a daunting task for healthcare pro­fessionals. This 10 point checklist can be your guide to understanding the ins and outs of modern mobile computer cart technology, and how to determine which cart is right for your healthcare facility.

  • Patient Safety Applications Of Bar Code And RFID Technologies
    2/1/2012

    The recent focus on patient safety in U.S. hospitals has yielded a flood of new technologies and tools aimed specifically at improving the quality of patient care at the bedside. This has been accomplished by integrating the physical process of care delivery with medication information and software applications that provide clinical decision support, and quality and safety checks. By Zebra Technologies

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

  • The Problem With Consumerism In Healthcare

    Many industry leaders championed a free market approach to healthcare during the 12th Annual World Health Care Congress last week. Here are a few key reasons why I don’t think this model is “the fix” our industry so desperately needs.

ABOUT REAL-TIME LOCATING SYSTEMS

Real-time locating systems (RTLS) utilize activated tags attached to objects or worn by people to track locations and automatically identify the assets or people in real time. RTLS systems use fixed points of reference in order to triangulate the exact location of specific tags. In a medical environment, RTLS tags can be used to track medical equipment, mobile carts, computers, doctors, nurses, and patients.

RTLS systems normally use radio frequency (RF) communications, but some solutions leverage infrared or ultrasound technology. RTLS primarily provides local positioning and very rarely uses GPS or any other outside tracking technology.

RTLS tags are typically used in closed environments. The location tracking of assets is done through range estimation where RTLS systems measure accuracy for a given distance (e.g. 95% accurate to 5 meters).

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