RTLS (Real-time Location Systems) Perception Study 2009
Since 2005, several prominent industry surveys have suggested that a significant percentage of providers would be implementing RTLS technology within the next two years, yet we have only seen very modest growth. There appears to be a direct correlation between provider size and adoption. Large acute care facilities (>200 beds) are adopting RTLS more often. KLAS study results indicate that RTLS purchases in the next one to two years are expected by 30–40 percent of respondents. It should be noted that current and future economic conditions may impact the realization of those purchases.
The buzz about RFID has not turned into the market traction some have predicted, but for reasons that are not readily apparent. To start with, RFID is only one of the positioning technologies available. Real-time location systems (RTLS) encompass all positioning technologies, including infrared, ultrasound, active and passive RFID, ZigBee, and ultra-wideband, but many don’t know or understand the difference between these technologies. This is quite evident in this study as participants identified RFID as the technology they are planning on using, but also identified AeroScout as the most likely vendor. AeroScout uses Wi-Fi as its positioning technology, not RFID. The rather rude awakening for vendors is that, based on this study, provider knowledge in this space is severely lacking. While the business proposition may have merit, vendors have some serious educating to do.
Vendors That Would Be Considered in the Selection Process
Today’s enterprise-wide RTLS offerings are an inch deep and a mile wide, and many providers can’t quite put a finger on the value of RTLS. Enterprise-wide visibility is not just for assets, but can also be used for managing patient flow, beds, rooms, staff, and other departmental activities and workflows. One hospital reported using RTLS to monitor and manage patient wait times; if a patient’s status had not changed in a certain amount of time, an alert would be generated.
It is not surprising to see asset tracking as today’s most popular usage for RTLS solutions; after all, it was the market’s initial focus. It is perhaps easiest to understand the potential ROI for asset management considering the common problems arising from poor equipment planning, inefficient utilization, and misplaced or hoarded equipment.
Aside from the fact that RTLS can be a confusing marketplace in terms of both technology and vendor offerings, the things keeping providers from taking the plunge are priority, cost, and technology concerns. Today’s pulse on RTLS usage shows that the business case is not clear enough for most providers to justify the investment. Vendors need to put themselves in provider shoes and test both their message and their offering. They need to educate providers on the use of this technology and find a way to mitigate the risks. Especially with today’s economic struggles, an immediate focus on opportunities for a direct ROI is a must. Providers need to understand the various product strategies, the technologies behind them, what each vendor has to offer, as well as their own needs.
About KLAS
KLAS is a research firm specializing in monitoring and reporting the performance of healthcare vendors. KLAS’ mission is to improve delivery, by independently measuring vendor performance for the benefit of our healthcare provider partners, consultants, investors, and vendors. Working together with executives from over 4500 hospitals and over 2500 clinics, KLAS delivers timely reports, trends, and statistics, which provide a solid overview of vendor performance in the industry. KLAS measures performance of software, professional services, and medical equipment vendors. For more information, go to www.KLASresearch.com, email marketing@KLASresearch.com, or call 1-800-920-4109 to speak with a KLAS representative.
All KLAS data and reports are © 2009 KLAS Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.
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