In a recent episode of the IoT For All Podcast, Scott Hondros, Vice President of Professional Services at CenTrak, and Caryn Hewitt, Senior Director of Consulting Services at CenTrak, join host Ryan Chacon to discuss the implementation of Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) and IT infrastructure in the healthcare industry. They delve into the concept of smart hospitals, the key stakeholders in medical technology, challenges faced in adopting IoT in healthcare, and the adoption of RTLS technology for businesses.
Scott Hondros, with a background in naval architecture and project management in healthcare, emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology in the healthcare space to improve efficiency, safety, and overall benefits for healthcare organizations. CenTrak, a leading RTLS healthcare organization, provides services, software, and hardware for IoT in healthcare.
Caryn Hewitt, an RN with extensive experience in hospital operations and healthcare technology projects, shares her expertise in integrating IoT technologies into healthcare environments. She explains that smart hospitals leverage a wide array of tools and technologies to enhance the healthcare organization, such as smart boards for patients and mobile technology for clinicians that provide real-time information and enable mobility.
RTLS, or real-time locating systems, is essentially an indoor GPS for healthcare. It allows organizations to track the real-time location of assets, patients, and staff within a healthcare facility. This technology is crucial for improving efficiency, safety, and patient care in healthcare settings.
Despite the benefits of IoT in healthcare, the adoption of these technologies can be challenging. One major challenge is obtaining buy-in from organizations and stakeholders. Organizations must understand the value and potential of IoT technologies and be willing to invest in their implementation.
Another hurdle in adopting IoT in healthcare is dealing with legacy IT infrastructure. Many healthcare organizations have outdated systems that may not be compatible with new IoT technologies. Integration and alignment between legacy systems and emerging technologies is essential for a smooth transition.
To adopt RTLS technology for their business, healthcare organizations need to identify their specific needs and use cases. They must assess their operational challenges and determine how RTLS can help solve them, whether it’s improving asset management, staff safety, or clinical workflow.
Overall, the integration of IoT technologies, specifically RTLS, in healthcare can greatly benefit healthcare organizations by increasing productivity, reducing operating costs, and transforming patient care. CenTrak has successfully implemented IoT-enabled location technology in over 2,000 healthcare organizations worldwide, providing actionable data for improved outcomes.
Sources:
– Scott Hondros on LinkedIn
– Caryn Hewitt on LinkedIn
– CenTrak website
