By leveraging foundational RTLS technology and electronic health records (EHR), hospitals can better guide care and resources throughout the patient journey, ensuring the right patient, staff, or equipment is in the right place at the right time. When selecting the technology to invest in, especially for specific use cases, don’t get distracted by momentary trends. Instead, evaluate a range of vendors, paying close attention to those with a long-standing presence in the industry. Experience often reflects a proven ability to evolve with the sector, offering solutions built on decades of real-world knowledge rather than limited, single-use functionality. Look for technology partners that actively listen to customer feedback, employ experts with hands-on field experience, and continuously refine their solutions to meet the changing needs of healthcare. Choosing a vendor with both expertise and adaptability ensures your investment supports long-term success.

Listen to those in the field and different departments
When choosing a strategic RTLS provider, healthcare leaders should prioritize a partner that aligns with organizational goals and actively engages the health system’s frontline staff, ensuring their voices are heard and relevant needs are met. One example of this is gathering staff feedback through surveys to assess comfort levels and perceptions of safety. These key insights help administrators identify operational gaps and prioritize budget allocations. For a positive environment and staff retention, healthcare leadership should consider Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs when guiding their health facility. The Hierarchy outlines the essential conditions for human well-being, with safety and security at Maslow’s foundation – basic requirements that must be met before individuals can fully perform and thrive. In healthcare, if these foundational needs are overlooked, the results are predictable: increased staff turnover, reduced patient outcomes, ongoing workforce shortages, and low morale.
A trusted RTLS partner understands this reality and delivers solutions that directly enhance the safety, security, and satisfaction of both staff and patients. To better ensure the success of any safety-focused RTLS solutions, health systems should adopt best practices that reinforce a culture of trust and security, such as:

• Creating steering committees to allow for open dialogue and intentionally inviting staff to raise concerns with upper management and hospital leadership. Be sure to make staff feel heard, encouraged to participate, and supported regarding their concerns.

Health IT Homepage