Under a Watchful Eye: 3 Ways to Improve Your Hospital’s Asset Tracking

Hospitals and medical facilities need better opportunities for tracking assets and preventing theft and medical crisis. New technological standards now require hospitals to use information systems that meet federal regulations. The changes have improved the way that hospitals treat patients and reduce common human errors. However, today, the issue most medical facilities are facing is higher than average costs and reduced budgetary constraints. Hospital administrators who want to keep a watchful eye learn the 3 ways to improve the hospital’s asset tracking.

1. Using Medical Carts with Information Systems

Using medical carts with information systems helps the hospital or medical center track assets proactively. Each staff member that uses the cart must sign into the information system with their own login credentials. Each of the Hospital Carts is loaded with supplies, and a staff member signs off for the supplies and the quantity of each item in the cart. The information system is connected to the hospital’s network for easier tracking. As each item is used from the cart, the medical staff must enter details about how it is used and for what patients.

Tracking assets through the hospital’s information systems helps the hospital determine how the supplies and assets are used throughout each day. It also shows the administrators who had access to the carts and where the carts were located. If theft is suspected, the administrators track the lost assets back to the cart, who had access to it, and where the cart was located. Surveillance systems also make it easier to track the time and who took assets from the medical facility.

2. Active RFID Technology

Using active RFID technology helps the hospital track supplies and equipment used throughout the hospital. It also tracks doctors and staff and determines if any of the workers are failing to follow proper protocol. In a hospital setting, it is vital for the staff to wash their hands and stay sanitary. The RFID technology can determine if any of the staff isn’t following protocol to reduce the spread of infections and infectious diseases.

It also tracks temperatures in a lab setting to ensure that techs keep the spaces at the correct temperature when storing specimens and completing testing. Sensors throughout the facility also monitor possible safety risks for the staff and patients. Alerts are sent to administrators when failures occur. Alarms go off in dire circumstances to alert the entire staff when a major health risk emerges.

The technology is used to track carts, crash carts, and moveable medical equipment that is used in patient rooms, such as ultrasound machines and other testing equipment. Administrators use the technology to locate equipment and carts at any time. This prevents medical staff from wasting time looking for machines and equipment in an emergency situation.

3. Using Barcodes and QR Labels

Using barcodes and QR labels help the administrators track supplies more effectively. The labels help the administrators track the total amount of each supply in the hospital and prevent shortages. In a hospital, a shortage could lead to life-threatening situations. Alarms are used to notify staff when items are in a short supply.

Hospitals and medical facilities need more robust measures for tracking assets and cutting overhead costs. When the budget is restricted, hospitals cannot afford to make any mistakes when tracking assets. Following careful measures and using technology to the hospital’s advantage achieves all the hospital’s goals.