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Optimizing Patient flows: AI-RTLS & EMR Integration 

Efficient patient flow is a crucial part of healthcare operations; it’s a vital component of patient satisfaction and healthcare facility success. A seamless clinical workflow is key to an efficient healthcare operation, it enables ground staff to deliver personalized and attentive care while also maintaining short wait times, reduced costs, and robust safety. While Efficient patient flow is the goal, health systems can sometimes have trouble meeting this. With the advent of healthcare technology, health systems can leverage the power of AI-RTLS and Electronic Medical records (EMR) to achieve this. 

Constraints to Patient Flow  

However, the path to achieving efficient patient flow is marred with challenges. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has strained healthcare resources, both in terms of assets and finances. This has led to increased hospitalizations, nurse shortages, heightened patient-to-staff ratios, and low investments. This has created a stressful environment where healthcare professionals are under constant pressure. Below are some key challenges healthcare facilities face as they try to improve patient flow: 

 

Patient Overcrowding  

 

When a healthcare facility becomes overcrowded due to a sudden inflow of patients, it can lead to longer wait times & rushed patient-staff interactions. Crowding can further affect check-in and discharge processes. The overall cycle of operation is disrupted affecting patient care quality. 

 

Poor Resource utilization   

 

Inefficient utilization of hospital rooms and equipment can result in delayed patient care, poor ROI, and slower patient care. This reduced utilization can seriously undermine patient care efforts. 

 

 

Staff Shortage  

 

Staff shortages can create a variety of issues for healthcare facilities, impacting everything from check-in procedures to discharge services. Both clinical and support staff are critical for the effective coordination of patient care  

 

 

Communication delays 

 

Real-time updates are the lifeblood of healthcare operations. Updates on patient status, bed availability, and equipment status are essential for smooth patient flow.  But in most cases health systems are bogged down by communication systems that cause communication delays  

 

 

 

 

The Synergy of AI-RTLS and EMR Integration 

 In pursuit of optimizing better patient flow, health systems can turn to AI-RTLS and integrate it with EMR This integration connects patient records with AI-powered RTLS wearable devices, which can help in eliminating duplicate data for patient demographics, status updates, and different care milestones.   

Through the AI-RTLS and EMR integration, healthcare providers can automatically update real-time data and see a myriad of metrics and information such as the patient’s current location, equipment in use, and all patient-provider interactions. 

AI-RTLS provides additional benefits towards patient flow: 

  1.  Dashboard Tools

Healthcare providers can leverage the power of digital dashboards to provide real-time insights into patient locations, equipment usage, and historical records. These tools can help empower healthcare facilities to check-in and discharge processes and enhance overall efficiency. 

  1. Personalized Insights

AI-RTLS systems can offer key data-driven insights through predictive analytics. They can provide evidence-based recommendations and suggestions for enhancing patient flow, freeing up space for healthcare facilities to make informed decisions. 

Benefits of AI-RTLS and EMR Integration 

The integration between EMRs and AI-RTLS offers a robust solution to patient flows that significantly improves overall patient care. Here are some key benefits: 

  1.  Clinical Location Services

AI-RTLS systems provide real-time updates on patient locations, staff members, and equipment within a healthcare space. This real-time data can streamline documentation, check-in and discharge processes, and room turnover services. It can also enhance care coordination, allowing facilities to treat patients more efficiently and at a quicker pace.   

  1. Improved Communication

AI-RTLS can solve another pain point that can hinder efficient patient flow – communication.  healthcare providers can quickly access information about patient waiting times and status seamlessly while eliminating the need to manually inquire about various updates. This can improve overall communication between ground staff and make operations more efficient. 

   3. Scalability

AI-RTLS solutions can be tailored to meet specific facility needs. Health systems can leverage the power of AI-RTLS and EMR integrations according to their needs and requirements This scalability allows facilities to address unique challenges in various areas, such as nurse call automation, infant protection, staff duress, and asset tracking. This quick adaptability can improve patient flow and patient care.   

Optimizing for efficiency: AI-RTLS & EMRs 

Efficiency is always an ongoing goal of health systems. AI-RTLS and EMR integrations can help health systems better optimize their patient flows. This comprehensive integration enhances the overall patient experience, improves staff satisfaction, and ensures that healthcare facilities can provide quick and high-level care. The future of patient flow is very much achievable, Through the power of AI-RTLS and EMR integration.