title: Improvement in the workflow efficiency of treating non-emergency outpatients by using a WLAN-based real-time location system in a level I trauma center.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patient localization can improve workflow in outpatient settings, which might lead to lower costs. The existing wireless local area network (WLAN) architecture in many hospitals opens up the possibility of adopting real-time patient tracking systems for capturing and processing position data; once captured, these data can be linked with clinical patient data.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the effect of a WLAN-based real-time patient localization system for tracking outpatients in our level I trauma center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatients from April to August 2009 were included in the study, which was performed in two different stages. In phase I, patient tracking was performed with the real-time location system, but acquired data were not displayed to the personnel. In phase II tracking, the acquired data were automatically collected and displayed. Total treatment time was the primary outcome parameter. Statistical analysis was performed using multiple linear regression, with the significance level set at 0.05. Covariates included sex, age, type of encounter, prioritization, treatment team, number of residents, and radiographic imaging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1045 patients were included in our study (540 in phase I and 505 in phase 2). An overall improvement of efficiency, as determined by a significantly decreased total treatment time (23.7%) from phase I to phase II, was noted. Additionally, significantly lower treatment times were noted for phase II patients even when other factors were considered (increased numbers of residents, the addition of imaging diagnostics, and comparison among various localization zones).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  WLAN-based real-time patient localization systems can reduce process inefficiencies associated with manual patient identification and tracking.
authors.affiliation: Trauma Center, Medical School Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stübig
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Suero
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zeckey
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Janzen
authors.forename: Musa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Citak
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Krettek
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hüfner
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gaulke
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003199:Computer Systems; D006801:Humans; D008122:Local Area Networks / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010355:Patient Identification Systems / Q000379:methods*; D061665:Time-to-Treatment; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D059015:Wireless Technology
keywords: Real time location system; WLAN; hospital; patient tracking