Low-power wireless technology in hospitals
March 22, 2021
From patient navigation to sample transport: How IoT solutions with EnOcean and Bluetooth are making hospital operations more efficient..
Due to developments in the hospital IT infrastructure and medical IoT-based technology, more and more IoT applications are being used in hospital logistics and asset management. Low-power wireless technology with minimal wiring is the best choice because hospitals can deploy it over a wide range of areas and it doesn’t affect daily medical operations. Low-power EnOcean and Bluetooth IoT devices can be quickly networked via a relatively small number of 5G/4G or WiFi hubs to provide data for applications.
Integrated location information
Patients are provided with location and navigation information via mobile phone apps so that they can find their way around the building quickly and safely. In the background, the location and usage of wheelchairs and gurneys can be checked at any time. For example, as soon as a medical waste disposal vehicle deviates from its designated route, the information is reported to the management platform and raises an alarm.
Service personnel report their location via mobile phones. The deployment of personnel for cleaning, delivery and other services can be easily managed.
The positioning beacon is powered by a hybrid power supply using solar energy and a battery. It can operate continuously for 24 hours without a battery, provided indoor illumination is sufficient during the daytime The vehicle positioning device is also hybrid-powered, so that it primarily uses the solar panel and in this way ensures a long battery life.
Location-based specimen transport
Collecting specimens from outpatient clinics or wards and delivering them to the laboratory is an essential part of the transport staff’s daily work. The beacons and EnOcean BLE sensors not only register specimen pickup and delivery, but they also report any changes in the open or closed status of specimen containers during transport.
Service calls
Whenever nursing staff, patients or visitors in hospital rooms, clinics, public areas and even medical vehicles need to ask for assistance, they can press the nearest button. The call button uses EnOcean self-powered technology that transmits a wireless signal when pressed.
Service staff receive requests on their mobile phones or wristbands and can respond quickly. For example, when a patient gurney needs to be quickly transported from the operating room to another ward, a simple press of a button on the gurney summons service personnel.
Thanks to the support of the low-power radio frequencies EnOcean and BLE as well as 5G and 4G communication technologies, the IoT solutions can be rapidly deployed without affecting daily operations. The wellbeing of patients and visitors and improved support for nursing staff pay off from the first day.
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