Frequently Asked Questions
The Real Time Location System Technology:
RFID, RLTS & Wi-Fi
Radio Frequency Identification, Real Time Location Systems, and Wireless Networking are all to IEEE 802.11 standards.
How do Real Time Location Systems and RFID technology work?
Tags emit a constant signal that is picked up by the fixed readers therefore important people and assets can be located on a real time basis. RFID signals travel through barriers such as walls therefore ensuring a secure system throughout the care facility.
Does the RFID interfere with existing Medical Equipment?
RFID Tag / Reader systems work at several fixed industry standard frequencies. AMCS, as part of the initial consultation, will determine what system works best within your environment. This will depend on the layout and build of your care facility.
Getting started:
What are the First Steps?
Contact AMCS and we will provide a free consultation and visit to understand your unique requirements.
Each Real Time Location System solution requires RFID tags (for patient, infant, asset or healthcare workflow), RFID readers (installed within the care facility) and specialised software. With the help of a Care Facility Floor Plan, AMCS can advise where readers should be installed. The floor plan is also used to generate the unique software package for each care facility.
How long does it take to install an AMCS Real Time Location System (RTLS)?
Installation depends on the size and complexities of each care facility. Any electrical work will conform to the hospital's Health and Safety Standards. For Real Time Location Systems, once the electrical work is complete, a ward can generally be configured and tested in less than a week.
Where are Real Time Location System (RTLS) Readers installed?
Readers are typically installed at:
All Exits
Ward Exits
Stairwells
Emergency Doors
Hazard Areas: such as Plant Rooms, Kitchens and Drug Dispensing Areas.
The number of readers within a ward depend on whether you require a tamperproof or non-tamperproof solution.
Readers are installed at ceiling height not to interfere with existing equipment, switches and other devices.
What does the AMCS Real Time Location System (RTLS) Software contain?
The Software package includes a visual map of your facility showing actual location and movement of tags and readers. It raises alarms for out of boundary activity, low battery tags and tampered tags. All tags are battery operated and the software will identify tags that have low battery and ready for replacement. Depending on amount of use and system setup, tags can last between 1 and 5 years. For asset tracking it can show the exact location of a required piece of equipment or indeed show that this is currently out of commission etc. The reporting function can also be used to provide a history report. While the software integrates with existing IT systems, it will have no impact on other software you currently run.
Additonal Information:
Does all RTLS Tagging require computer programming by Care Staff and Nurses?
No. For a basic patient tag, all that is required is to securely attach a pre programmed tag around a wrist or ankle. For an infant tag there may be simple initial input required to identify the infant. For asset tagging there is a normal initial setup to identify the device and allow easy future locating.
Are all tags Tamper Proof?
No, you choose. AMCS offers the option of a tamper proof system. These tags alarm if removed.
Are patients, infants and children allowed to wander?
Patients, infants and children are allowed free access within a specified safe area. Safe areas are designated by the care facility.
What happens if a patient or infant moves outside the area?
This depends on end user needs: There are many options to choose from including a warning light, a discrete page message to key personnel, an audible alarm or even a complete door lock trigger for possible abduction scenario or entry to hazardous areas. AMCS systems can be setup to match your existing safety policies.
How does the Real Time Location System (RTLS) help to locate a piece of equipment?
Very simply by using the RTLS software package all tagged assets can be located in real time. It can be as easy as logging in the name of the asset and then seeing on the monitor where it is within the care facility.
How does Assetlink Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) help healthcare facilities?
Facilities choose Assetlink Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) in order to effectively manage their health facility assets. AMCS work with healthcare clients to develop a completely a tailored asset management database. This allows technical and care staff to create maintenance work order requests from various hospital and healthcare locations, have access to important asset information and documentation, and have visibility of overall healthcare asset performance.
Assetlink EAM can be combined with AMCS's Real Time Location Systems to ensure that the healthcare facility has a cost-effective asset tracking and asset management system, that best matches the specific health facility needs.
How do I use AMCS Healthcare Workflow?
This can help you in many ways. For example if your team have suggested some important changes to improve patient flow through a particular regular hospital procedure, then the implementation of this can be monitored and measured using workflow management tagging. Not just limited to staff or patient, it can be used for any workflow practices for example blood testing or equipment efficiency.
Will AMCS be involved in Training for Care Staff, Nurses and Other Users?
AMCS Medical trains all employees and provides specific end user training documents. This training is targeted and unique to the different needs of senior management, nursing staff, technical personnel and security. As part of planned service agreements, AMCS can provide training on a regular, scheduled basis.
What happens to the Real Time Location System if there is a power cut?
Readers are POE (Power Over Ethernet). The whole system uses battery backups for a limited lifetime. Each system has a surge protect for emergency generator start ups.
How easy is it to upgrade?
All AMCS Medical Systems are modular and scalable. Once the initial system is installed, it is very simple to add extra wards, areas, new equipment and software. As your reporting and tracking needs evolve, the software can be used to provide this functionality such as in areas of improving efficiency, audit records, equipment optimisation etc
Next Steps:
How do I learn more?
Contact AMCS for a Free Consultation at +353 61 390886
