Emergency rooms across the nation overflow with patients, making efficient use of time a top priority for doctors and nurses. As hospitals look for ways to increase effectiveness, treat more patients, and make sure each patient receives excellent care, some are looking to GPS tracking to help monitor the process.
One hospital in South Carolina now utilizes GPS tracking to monitor patients from the moment they check in. As each patient arrives, he or she receives a GPS tracking device to wear on the wrist, allowing hospital staff to see where that patient is at all times. As the person progress through emergency care and eventually receives a room assignment, each nurse or doctor can see the patient’s exact location, enabling faster and more efficient treatment. So far, the technology has been well received among both patients and hospital staff.
Before a patient arrives at the hospital, the ambulance or helicopter he’s traveling in will most likely be equipped with GPS vehicle tracking, enabling faster response time and most effective use of the vehicles in the fleet. When emergencies occur, knowledge of which vehicles are in the vicinity and which ones can reach an injured person the fastest could save lives.
In addition to patient monitoring, GPS tracking can also help hospitals keep track of equipment before, during, and after surgeries or procedures. Nurses report an average savings of fifteen minutes per shift when they can locate equipment with GPS tracking rather than spending time tracking down the items themselves. In a hospital setting, fifteen minutes could make the difference between life and death.
Outside the hospital, GPS can help monitor patients who have a tendency to roam and become lost. Many Alzheimer’s patients benefit from carrying tracking devices which allow caregivers to keep an eye on them remotely. If a patient should wander from home and become lost, the caregiver can pinpoint his or her location immediately. More and more GPS companies have begun catering to Alzheimer’s patients, with life alert systems and even GPS equipped shoes helping to make the safety of these elderly citizens a top priority.
Advances in medical care save thousands of lives each year, giving families more time to share with one another and a greater appreciation for the value of life. As more and more hospitals implement GPS tracking into their daily routines, the new capabilities will give doctors and nurses the support they need to continue the work of keeping people healthy.
Read more about GPS Tracking Devices on my blog.
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