The most valuable resource healthcare staff has isn’t new technology or a new facility…it’s time. The more time they can allocate to treatment, the better the outcome for the patient. As such, that’s the lens healthcare administrators should view technology through – how is it streamlining processes and providing the maximum time to see patients?
Moreover, it’s not enough to consider the benefits of advanced technology if it’s not integrating seamlessly into workflows. This is the balance that administrators must consider, and it’s most evident in daily tasks.
Shared devices like pumps, monitors, scanners and tablets are vital to healthcare processes. But if staff can’t access them readily, that’s a problem. Time is often critical, especially in acute treatment, and if resources aren’t available or if staff must search for them, treatment can be impacted. Additionally, if devices must constantly be replaced because they’re unavailable, that’s an unnecessary financial cost and a potential reputational issue if sensitive patient information is removed from the premises.
That’s why many healthcare facilities are adopting intelligent asset management lockers. The lockers, which are integrated into the main access control software, ensure only authorised users have access to devices, and differing levels of access are managed simultaneously.
Every transaction is recorded, which keeps employees accountable and managers informed about who has which device. If a device isn’t returned by a certain time, managers are notified, which reduces downtime spent locating it. Devices are charged in the locker, which will prioritise the most charged device when an employee removes one. This eliminates the likelihood of an employee removing a dead device.
These benefits translate into an efficient workflow for employees through proper management of daily resources. At EBME Expo on Stand F07, Traka will be displaying its intelligent lockers, which are leveraged in a variety of NHS facilities, and in partnership with RFID Discovery, the UK leader in integrated identification and location tracking solutions. Visitors will be able to explore how intelligent asset management and real-time asset tracking can work together to improve equipment visibility, availability and accountability across healthcare environments.
