The use of digital technologies for tracking medical equipment offers clinics many advantages. The implementation of positioning systems can increase the efficiency of staff performance, improve clients loyalty, as well as minimize the costs of lost assets. Key Points:
Challenges: Hospitals often face issues with wheelchair availability, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs. On average, 25% of wheelchairs are lost or stolen annually, and staff spend up to 20 minutes daily searching for them.
Benefits of Tracking: Implementing a wheelchair tracking system can significantly improve staff performance, patient satisfaction, and reduce costs associated with lost equipment.
Technological Solution: Real-time tracking tools using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology can monitor wheelchair locations, ensuring they are always available when needed.
Patient and Visitor Loyalty: The system enhances patient care by ensuring wheelchairs are readily available, which improves patient mobility and satisfaction.
Cost Reduction: By reducing theft and improving inventory management, hospitals can save money on replacing lost wheelchairs.
How does your healthcare organization benefit from tracking wheelchairs? Share in the comments.
Hi Kate! Thank you for the question. Wheelchair Tracking is one of the most popular scenarios within healthcare environments. The process involves equipping the wheelchairs with BLE tags and using a network of BLE gateways or receivers to track their movement within a facility in Navigine RTLS.
First of all, you need to attach BLE tags on your wheelchairs and strategically place BLE gateways throughout the facility. You have to conduct a site survey to assess the area where you plan to install the tracking system. There can be various obstacles and metal constructions that can affect signal transmission.
To avoid issues where the tag jumps around on the map, it’s essential to maintain proper spacing between the gateways. Depending on the room’s layout, Minew G1 gateways should be spaced up to 10 meters apart. Wall permeability must also be considered—if a wall is particularly thick, you may need to reduce the distance between gateways for more accurate tracking.
We recommend using an Ethernet connection for a stable network setup. You can refer to the connection manual at the provided link for detailed instructions.
You should only begin working with the Minew and Navigine platform after properly setting up the hardware. For detailed instructions, refer to our manual (Step 2: Hardware Setup).
Once the hardware is configured, you can proceed with setting up your location in the Navigine platform. This setup process will be conducted with Navigine experts during a two-hour call.
The E8 tag can function “out of the box” after being correctly added to the location within the Navigine platform. Follow the steps outlined in the manual (Step 6). For advanced configuration (such as adjusting signal strength, disabling the accelerometer, etc.), you can refer to the manual.
If you encounter any issues during installation or configuration, Navigine managers are available to assist you during the two-hour call or via technical support.
To help businesses evaluate the BLE-based wheelchair tracking solution, Navigine offers a special demo kit. This kit includes BLE tags, gateways, and access to Navigine’s software platform, allowing clients to test the solution in their own environment. The demo kit is designed for a proof of concept (PoC), helping organizations ensure the system meets their tracking needs before full implementation. More here: Wheelchair Tracking BLE Kit | Improve Efficiency and Safety in Healthcare
