REAL TIME LOCALISATION SYSTEMS
colleagues for help in an emergency – if a resident falls, for example. In addition, the emergency staff call ensures that assistance can be requested discreetly in potentially dangerous situations or in facilities with increased security requirements – these types of calls are also automatically prioritised by the system.
RTLS requires maximum individualisation Through these numerous functions, RTLS help to support and relieve staff resources and ensure patient protection. In order for real-time localisation to display its full strength, function without interference, and be a genuine relief, such a system needs to be professionally set up in advance. It is important that the alarm types as well as the protected zones are defined, elaborated, and entered into the RTLS together with the hospital or nursing home staff – after all, every healthcare facility has its own structural conditions and organisational requirements. To give an example, the installation of
an RTLS is carried out in several steps. First of all, the readers, i.e., the registration units, should be positioned in such a way that there are no blind spots in the defined area. Their task is to receive the information from the transponder and
forward it to the system, i.e., the server. These should be installed at the exits in the second step and serve as a locating unit. They create a circular detection field that can locate residents and care staff with spatial or environmental accuracy and forward the collected information to the server.
Depending on the number of markers, localisation can be per room, department, floor, or building. For example, for room- by-room locating, one marker is required for each room. Both markers and the badges that nursing staff, patients, and residents carry transmit the collected information to the server. The alarm messages themselves can be displayed as calls thanks to the integration into the existing call system. In terms of technology, RTLS can be based on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or radio frequency technology. In most cases, an RTLS relying on radio frequency has the advantage that the location can be determined extremely precisely due to the exact localisation of the position markers. Furthermore, no calibration is necessary and there is a high level of stability with moving objects such as doors. In addition, the IR signal ensures that localisation takes place on the correct floor, even if the patient has fallen, for example. Finally,
using radio frequency and IR signals makes it easy to detect the badge even if worn under thick clothing. The increasingly complex requirements of modern healthcare facilities have long since demanded intelligent, technical solutions that reduce the burden on care staff, are operationally reliable, are worth the cost, and bring sustainable benefits. Real-time localisation has already greatly simplified everyday care in many areas. Increasing efficiency will become even more important in light of the demographic challenges in the health sector. Technical stand-alone solutions will then no longer be sufficient. By then at the latest, intelligent communication systems in which RTLS become a powerful overall solution through system integration with sophisticated IP technology and the use of mobile devices will be an indispensable support in the care sector. Because less time wasted means more time for patient care, and that, in turn, is the prerequisite for a high standard of care.
IFHE
Reference 1 Eurostat (30 March 2023). EU’s population projected to drop by 6 per cent by 2100. [
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/en/web/ products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20230330-1].
IFHEDigest Providing insights into the vast field of healthcare engineering and facility management 80 IFHE DIGEST 2024
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