real-time location systems brief profile proposal for 2009/10 presented to the it infrastructure...

Real-Time Location SystemsReal-Time Location Systems

Brief Profile Proposal for 2009/10Brief Profile Proposal for 2009/10presented to thepresented to the

IT Infrastructure Planning CommitteeIT Infrastructure Planning Committee

Ken FuchsKen Fuchs01 October, 200901 October, 2009


The Problem

• Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) are being introduced into the Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) are being introduced into the healthcare environment at increasing rates. They are used to track healthcare environment at increasing rates. They are used to track clinicians, patients, devices and other critical resources.clinicians, patients, devices and other critical resources.

• RTLS systems consist of tracking devices and tracking management RTLS systems consist of tracking devices and tracking management systems. systems. – The interface from the tracking management system to the tracking device The interface from the tracking management system to the tracking device

is typically proprietary and probably will remain so for the foreseeable is typically proprietary and probably will remain so for the foreseeable future due to the various types of tracking technologies and transmission future due to the various types of tracking technologies and transmission approaches. approaches.

• The interface of the RTLS tracking management system to other The interface of the RTLS tracking management system to other hospital systems that may want to use the data is currently also hospital systems that may want to use the data is currently also proprietary. Lack of standards in this area results in integration issues proprietary. Lack of standards in this area results in integration issues and substantial development costs. and substantial development costs.


The Problem

• The RTLS market is an emerging market with increasing The RTLS market is an emerging market with increasing visibility in the healthcare enterprise.visibility in the healthcare enterprise.

• Most of the vendors are relatively small and focused on Most of the vendors are relatively small and focused on this market.this market.– Most of the vendors believe that standardization would increase the Most of the vendors believe that standardization would increase the

adoption of systems, however, adoption of systems, however, – Their size and maturity does not typically allocate resources for Their size and maturity does not typically allocate resources for

“long-term” efforts such as standardization or profile identification.“long-term” efforts such as standardization or profile identification.

• What is the risk of this proposal not being undertaken this What is the risk of this proposal not being undertaken this cycle?cycle?– PCD has been requested to look into this area, but we believe a PCD has been requested to look into this area, but we believe a

broader-brush approach would be more appropriate.broader-brush approach would be more appropriate.


Use Case

• In hospital step-down units patients are provided portable In hospital step-down units patients are provided portable patient monitors which can be worn by the patient and patient monitors which can be worn by the patient and communicate via RF to the nursing central station. The communicate via RF to the nursing central station. The patients are allowed to roam within a certain area as part of patients are allowed to roam within a certain area as part of their rehabilitation an RTLS (either attached to the patient their rehabilitation an RTLS (either attached to the patient or part of the portable patient monitor) is used to track their or part of the portable patient monitor) is used to track their movement. The user is interested in:movement. The user is interested in:– Where the patient is located, especially if he/she runs into any Where the patient is located, especially if he/she runs into any

trouble.trouble.– Whether the patient has exited the monitored areaWhether the patient has exited the monitored area– Briefly describe a use case that supports this profile proposalBriefly describe a use case that supports this profile proposal


Use Case

• Biomedical engineering staff has access to the location of Biomedical engineering staff has access to the location of all tracked equipment, alongside the PM date for this all tracked equipment, alongside the PM date for this equipment. This enables them to find all equipment that is equipment. This enables them to find all equipment that is due for PM, and reach the mandatory PM rate for JCAHO due for PM, and reach the mandatory PM rate for JCAHO compliance.compliance.

• Alarms from medical devices and alerts from clinical Alarms from medical devices and alerts from clinical applications need to be distributed to assigned caregivers. applications need to be distributed to assigned caregivers. The decision about who distribute an alarm to can be The decision about who distribute an alarm to can be based on the caregiver’s real-time location. If a nurse is in based on the caregiver’s real-time location. If a nurse is in the cafeteria the alarm can be sent to the closest available the cafeteria the alarm can be sent to the closest available qualified caregiver.qualified caregiver.


Proposed Standards & Systems

• What standards and/or systems should be considered in What standards and/or systems should be considered in addressing this proposal?addressing this proposal?– There was some work done in HL7 v3.There was some work done in HL7 v3.– Adaptation of the HL7 v2 OBX messaging structure could be used.Adaptation of the HL7 v2 OBX messaging structure could be used.– There are no other relevant standards as far as this contributor There are no other relevant standards as far as this contributor

knows.knows.

• What level of effort do you foresee in developing this What level of effort do you foresee in developing this profile?profile?– Overall effort should be ‘typical’ for a ProfileOverall effort should be ‘typical’ for a Profile

• Is there someone who is willing to act as profile editor?Is there someone who is willing to act as profile editor?– PCD is definitely willing to work with ITI on this profile.PCD is definitely willing to work with ITI on this profile.– Can’t provide any specific names at this time…Can’t provide any specific names at this time…

real-time location systems brief profile proposal for 2009/10 presented to the it infrastructure...

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