Abstract
Learning Outcomes: The learner will be able to: understand the usage of an RTLS system in asset management, and how nursing engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration drive value, increase satisfaction and safety, save time and money.
Identify the Pertinent Desired Outcome/Objectives: The learner will be able to understand the functions of RTLS.
While this application may not be feasible for all organizations, empowering nurses to engage with other disciplines, focus on identifying issues, propose workflows, implement, and evaluate solutions to make the best use of their valued time.is.
Methods: Literature review. RTLS pilot at a 450-bed hospital, created a training video on RTLS to search for equipment. RTLS is used in Health Care facilities for asset management. It requires the attachment of a mobile tag which transmits wireless signals to track and manage the movement of assets in real time. The pilot was initiated in collaboration with nursing, biomed, and IT to gather user feedback about RTLS in an acute care hospital.
Results:
Use of RTLS proved beneficial in locating tagged equipment. The application needed to be tweaked post implementation to reevaluate reference points to improve accuracy of locating the devices and to also avoid “floor hopping.”
Early in the pilot, it was recognized that a formal process needed to be created to request tagging of equipment for other types of assets. An intradisciplinary governance committee was formed to evaluate and create an approval process. It was co-led by nursing and hospital administration. Clinical nurses were encouraged to nominate new types of assets to be tagged, e.g., defibrillators, tele-health carts, ventilators and portable HEPA filter borrowed during the COVID peak, and specialized infusion pumps.
Literature review shows that RTLS can save more than 90 minutes in locating devices, we experienced comparable results. Nursing staff were less frustrated as they no longer had to leave the unit searching for equipment. The impact was a reduction in capital equipment purchase and deployment since said equipment was easily locatable. Staff feedback during administrative rounds was a valued pilot, it saved time and they are ”thrilled” that their voices were heard.
Some hurdles were: the cost of the tracking tags, best method to secure the tags to equipment, tags that have fallen off equipment needed to be returned to our bio-med department and transitioning staff from learning the software to using it to locate an asset.
Conclusions: RTLS beneficial in appropriately utilizing our nursing resources and manpower to locate assets. Its implementation contributed to a safe environment. This initiative demonstrated to our clinical nurses that their time is valued and caring for the patient at the bedside is the priority for delivering quality care. Additional safety features and merit included quick location of recalled equipment, locating devices requiring annual maintenance, finding equipment quickly to prevent hoarding, and monitoring inventory.
The partnership forged with our team members was the key to our success.
Notes
References: Banat, D. (2020). Conditions of Cost-Effectiveness for the Use of Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) in Medical Facilities and the Benefits of Effective Implementation Process. Education of Economists and Managers, 58 (4), 21–34. DOI: 10.33119/EEIM.2020.58.1 Retrieved from: https://econjournals.sgh.waw.pl/EEiM/article/view/2454
Bowen, M. E.; Craighead, J.; Wingrave, C. A.; and Kearns, W. D.,(2010) "Real- Time Locating Systems (RTLS) to Improve Fall Detection". Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Faculty Publications. 103. https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/mhs_facpub/103
Lawrence, C., Firth, D., & Khumalp, F. (2013). Real time locations systems or outsourcing: A case study. Information Systems Education Journal (ISEDJ), 11(5), 49-56.
Von Wagner, M.; Queck, A.; Beekers, P.; Tolhuizen, L.; Synnatschke, A.; Boesing, J.; Chatterjea, S., (2023): Towards accurate and automatic emergency department workflow characterization using a real-time locating system, International Journal of Healthcare Management, DOI: 10.1080/20479700.2023.2172829
Sigma Membership
Alpha Omega
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Literature Review
Research Approach
Pilot/Exploratory Study
Keywords:
RTLS, Economic Cost, Nursing, Teamwork, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Healthy Work Environment, Engagement, Medical Technology, Work Environment, Interprofessional Relations, Work Engagement
Recommended Citation
DiCarlo, Linda R.; O'Flaherty, Deirdre; Husk, Gregg; Ng, Tammy; Dennis, Maureen; and Varghese, Royce, "Really Thrilling Location System (RTLS Real-Time Location System) Adds Value to Hospital Nurses" (2026). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 71.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2024/presentations_2024/71
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Washington, DC, USA
Conference Year
2024
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-02-20
Really Thrilling Location System (RTLS Real-Time Location System) Adds Value to Hospital Nurses
Washington, DC, USA
Learning Outcomes: The learner will be able to: understand the usage of an RTLS system in asset management, and how nursing engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration drive value, increase satisfaction and safety, save time and money.
Identify the Pertinent Desired Outcome/Objectives: The learner will be able to understand the functions of RTLS.
While this application may not be feasible for all organizations, empowering nurses to engage with other disciplines, focus on identifying issues, propose workflows, implement, and evaluate solutions to make the best use of their valued time.is.
Methods: Literature review. RTLS pilot at a 450-bed hospital, created a training video on RTLS to search for equipment. RTLS is used in Health Care facilities for asset management. It requires the attachment of a mobile tag which transmits wireless signals to track and manage the movement of assets in real time. The pilot was initiated in collaboration with nursing, biomed, and IT to gather user feedback about RTLS in an acute care hospital.
Results:
Use of RTLS proved beneficial in locating tagged equipment. The application needed to be tweaked post implementation to reevaluate reference points to improve accuracy of locating the devices and to also avoid “floor hopping.”
Early in the pilot, it was recognized that a formal process needed to be created to request tagging of equipment for other types of assets. An intradisciplinary governance committee was formed to evaluate and create an approval process. It was co-led by nursing and hospital administration. Clinical nurses were encouraged to nominate new types of assets to be tagged, e.g., defibrillators, tele-health carts, ventilators and portable HEPA filter borrowed during the COVID peak, and specialized infusion pumps.
Literature review shows that RTLS can save more than 90 minutes in locating devices, we experienced comparable results. Nursing staff were less frustrated as they no longer had to leave the unit searching for equipment. The impact was a reduction in capital equipment purchase and deployment since said equipment was easily locatable. Staff feedback during administrative rounds was a valued pilot, it saved time and they are ”thrilled” that their voices were heard.
Some hurdles were: the cost of the tracking tags, best method to secure the tags to equipment, tags that have fallen off equipment needed to be returned to our bio-med department and transitioning staff from learning the software to using it to locate an asset.
Conclusions: RTLS beneficial in appropriately utilizing our nursing resources and manpower to locate assets. Its implementation contributed to a safe environment. This initiative demonstrated to our clinical nurses that their time is valued and caring for the patient at the bedside is the priority for delivering quality care. Additional safety features and merit included quick location of recalled equipment, locating devices requiring annual maintenance, finding equipment quickly to prevent hoarding, and monitoring inventory.
The partnership forged with our team members was the key to our success.
Description
To understand the usage of an RTLS system in asset management, and how nursing engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration drive value, increase satisfaction and safety, and save time and money.