Real-Time Location Systems Brief Profile Proposal for 2009/10 presented to the IT Infrastructure Planning Committee Ken Fuchs 01 October, 2009

IT Infrastructure Planning Committee The Problem Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) are being introduced into the healthcare environment at increasing rates. They are used to track clinicians, patients, devices and other critical resources.Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) are being introduced into the healthcare environment at increasing rates. They are used to track clinicians, patients, devices and other critical resources. RTLS systems consist of tracking devices and tracking management systems.RTLS systems consist of tracking devices and tracking management systems. –The interface from the tracking management system to the tracking device is typically proprietary and probably will remain so for the foreseeable future due to the various types of tracking technologies and transmission approaches. The interface of the RTLS tracking management system to other hospital systems that may want to use the data is currently also proprietary. Lack of standards in this area results in integration issues and substantial development costs.The interface of the RTLS tracking management system to other hospital systems that may want to use the data is currently also proprietary. Lack of standards in this area results in integration issues and substantial development costs.

IT Infrastructure Planning Committee The Problem The RTLS market is an emerging market with increasing visibility in the healthcare enterprise.The RTLS market is an emerging market with increasing visibility in the healthcare enterprise. Most of the vendors are relatively small and focused on this market.Most of the vendors are relatively small and focused on this market. –Most of the vendors believe that standardization would increase the adoption of systems, however, –Their size and maturity does not typically allocate resources for long-term efforts such as standardization or profile identification. What is the risk of this proposal not being undertaken this cycle?What is the risk of this proposal not being undertaken this cycle? –PCD has been requested to look into this area, but we believe a broader-brush approach would be more appropriate.

IT Infrastructure Planning Committee Use Case In hospital step-down units patients are provided portable patient monitors which can be worn by the patient and communicate via RF to the nursing central station. The patients are allowed to roam within a certain area as part of their rehabilitation an RTLS (either attached to the patient or part of the portable patient monitor) is used to track their movement. The user is interested in:In hospital step-down units patients are provided portable patient monitors which can be worn by the patient and communicate via RF to the nursing central station. The patients are allowed to roam within a certain area as part of their rehabilitation an RTLS (either attached to the patient or part of the portable patient monitor) is used to track their movement. The user is interested in: –Where the patient is located, especially if he/she runs into any trouble. –Whether the patient has exited the monitored area –Briefly describe a use case that supports this profile proposal

IT Infrastructure Planning Committee Use Case Biomedical engineering staff has access to the location of all tracked equipment, alongside the PM date for this equipment. This enables them to find all equipment that is due for PM, and reach the mandatory PM rate for JCAHO compliance.Biomedical engineering staff has access to the location of all tracked equipment, alongside the PM date for this equipment. This enables them to find all equipment that is due for PM, and reach the mandatory PM rate for JCAHO compliance. Alarms from medical devices and alerts from clinical applications need to be distributed to assigned caregivers. The decision about who distribute an alarm to can be based on the caregivers real-time location. If a nurse is in the cafeteria the alarm can be sent to the closest available qualified caregiver.Alarms from medical devices and alerts from clinical applications need to be distributed to assigned caregivers. The decision about who distribute an alarm to can be based on the caregivers real-time location. If a nurse is in the cafeteria the alarm can be sent to the closest available qualified caregiver.

IT Infrastructure Planning Committee Proposed Standards & Systems What standards and/or systems should be considered in addressing this proposal?What standards and/or systems should be considered in addressing this proposal? –There was some work done in HL7 v3. –Adaptation of the HL7 v2 OBX messaging structure could be used. –There are no other relevant standards as far as this contributor knows. What level of effort do you foresee in developing this profile?What level of effort do you foresee in developing this profile? –Overall 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. –Cant provide any specific names at this time…