Patient Tracking via BLE Beacons and RTLS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for tracking patient location and status in hospitals are inefficient, prone to errors, and disrupt medical staff workflows, leading to delays and inefficiencies in managing patient movement and communication with family members.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon technology for real-time patient tracking, combined with cloud servers and indoor positioning technologies, automatically updates patient location and status on monitors and displays, reducing manual entry and enabling real-time communication with medical staff and family members through automated SMS messages and user-friendly interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual tracking systems are used where staff enter location changes, then patient location information can be recorded, but the system becomes cumbersome, error-prone, and requires multiple menu layers to update status
Solution Approach 1:
The system attaches tracking devices to patients themselves, enabling automatic self-tracking of location and status without requiring staff intervention. Patients wear RFID tags or have mobile devices that continuously transmit their location data, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing errors while simplifying operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical data entry processes with automated electronic tracking systems. RFID readers, wireless communication devices, and automated notification systems substitute for staff manually navigating menu layers to update patient status, thereby improving reliability while reducing operational complexity.
2Loss of information
If staff manually log patient location changes multiple times, then location tracking is achieved, but inefficiency and errors increase due to staff busyness and potential forgetfulness
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system operates continuously and automatically without interruption. RFID tags continuously transmit signals, readers continuously detect locations, and the system continuously updates patient status, eliminating gaps in tracking that occur when staff forget to log changes. This continuous automated operation prevents information loss while maintaining staff productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Patients automatically track and report their own location through wearable RFID tags or mobile devices, eliminating the burden on staff to manually log location changes. The system serves itself by automatically capturing, transmitting, and updating location data without requiring staff time or attention, thus preventing information loss while preserving staff productivity for patient care.
3Loss of information
If multiple phone calls are made to departments to locate a patient, then patient location and status information can be obtained, but time-consuming delays and disruptions occur at front desk and operator function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated notification system that acts as an intermediary between patient location data and staff/family members. Instead of making multiple phone calls, the system automatically retrieves and transmits patient location and status information through centralized displays, text messages, and email notifications, eliminating information loss while dramatically reducing the time required to obtain patient status.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the manual phone call process with automated electronic communication. RFID tracking data is automatically transmitted through wireless networks to notification systems that send text messages and emails, substituting the mechanical process of making multiple calls with an automated digital information delivery system that prevents information loss while saving time.
4Reliability
If RTLS tracking technology is used to track medical staff, then staff location is monitored, but patient tracking and comprehensive status communication remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal tracking system that simultaneously tracks both patients and staff using the same RFID infrastructure. The system monitors patient location, patient status, staff location, and communicates this information through multiple channels including displays, text messages, and emails. This multi-functional approach maintains reliable location tracking while adding comprehensive patient status communication capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an automated notification intermediary that translates RFID tracking data into comprehensive patient status communications. Instead of relying on staff to communicate status, the intermediary automatically retrieves patient information and transmits it to families and relevant staff members, enhancing the basic location tracking capability with versatile status communication functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies patient location determination and status communication, reducing errors and disruptions, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction by providing real-time updates and automating notifications, thus streamlining hospital operations and family information access.
Implementation Method 1
The implementation of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon technology for real-time patient tracking
Data Source
AI summary
A method for live patient tracking for surgical centers and hospitals is provided comprising tracking patient journey through a healthcare facility. The method also comprises overlying tracked journey data on patient surgical status data and visualizing the overlaid journey data and surgical status data on a display. Visualization of data is performed on the display of a TV screen, a tablet, a desktop computer, a tablet or a smartphone. The visualized data includes patient indoor location within the healthcare facility. Patient indoor location is performed by means of an indoor positioning system such as Real Time Location Service (RTLS) system.