Enter Your Email Address to Receive a
Copy of MedicExhange Member Demograhpics

Memorial University Medical Center is managing assets more effectively and at a lower cost since deploying TeleTracking's RadarFind sensor-network based Real-time Location System ( RTLS ).

Memorial University Medical Center (MUMC), a 530-bed hospital in Savannah, Ga., is managing assets more effectively and at a lower cost since deploying TeleTracking's RadarFind sensor-network based Real-time Location System ( RTLS ). MUMC determined that significant cost savings could be achieved by automating mobile asset location, obtaining clearer visibility of daily operational processes, and reducing ongoing equipment rental fees.

The RadarFind system went live in May 2010 and the hospital has reported that total asset management costs have decreased by nearly 40 percent while patient census has slightly increased since 2009.

Prior to 2010, MUMC used an outside asset management firm to locate and deliver mobile equipment at the time and point of need. MUMC took this process in-house earlier this year and is now reporting the total savings achieved so far—even with the addition of hospital personnel. RadarFind enables internal mobile asset management staff to view a map of the entire hospital or individual patient care areas to identify the location of tagged items and quickly reallocate equipment according to daily demands. MUMC is also gathering information about how much time equipment is out of service for repairs and examining utilization rates by department to make more intelligent business decisions about whether or not to purchase or rent additional equipment. According to Al Hardy, capital purchasing agent for asset management at MUMC, in a year-over-year comparison of total asset management costs through August 2010, MUMC has already realized net savings of more than $300,000.

Currently 2,000 items are being tracked by the RadarFind sensor network that incorporates hospital-grade plug-in readers. MUMC is also planning to expand the RTLS to other hospital buildings on its campus and tag additional types of assets. Several criteria help determine which equipment to tag, including whether better management of a particular type of equipment can increase patient flow and throughput.

"The RadarFind system has far exceeded our expectations, helping our staff perform more productively and efficiently to better serve our patients," said Patty Lavely, senior vice president and CIO for MUMC. "We have seen a remarkable return on investment rather quickly, and are excited about the future as we explore opportunities to expand the use of RadarFind throughout our hospital."

In addition to asset visibility, MUMC uses RadarFind to monitor the temperature of hospital refrigerators and freezers that protect sensitive medications and tissues. RadarFind's NIST-traceable temperature tags help hospitals comply with Joint Commission requirements for patient safety. The RadarFind TempView software generates ongoing temperature logs and historical reports that previously required manual charting. Designated staff are automatically alerted when the cooling unit temperatures fall outside a pre-determined temperature range further assuring confidence in drug effectiveness.

"MUMC, a recognized leader in the hospital community for embracing innovation, is already experiencing multiple benefits from RadarFind's sensor-network based RTLS ," said Michael Nelson, president of RadarFind. "The ongoing business intelligence derived from the system will continue to generate further process advancements and improve patient care at MUMC, and further demonstrate the transforming impact of real time locating technology within health-care delivery organizations."

Source: TeleTracking Technologies, Inc.

Click on the link to see more RTLS Products