How to Develop Transformative Patient Tracking Systems in Hospitals?

December 18, 2024
patient tracking systems in hospitals

Patient tracking systems in hospitals are exactly what you would expect: systems to monitor patient movements throughout the hospital. Over the years there have been many different ways clinicians track their patients. Examples include pen and paper, spreadsheets and now with the use of innovative artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning location-based technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) patient tracking devices.

The process of tracking patients has evolved immensely and for good reason. With the overwhelming demand on healthcare systems, it has become increasingly important to implement a patient tracking systems that can reduce physician workload and provide a safer hospital environment for patients. Large hospitals need additional resources that can assist in the proper care of patients from admittance to discharge.

This blog post will discuss why technology-based patient tracking systems are vital in reshaping the level of care healthcare institutions can provide. 

What is Patient Tracking and Why is it Important?

Most commonly, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and IoT patient tracking solutions are used in a smart hospital environment. Tags are worn by patients and monitored by healthcare providers who can track the real-time status and location of each patient as well as access a digital directory of their health records. These tags are often in hospital bracelets or worn around the neck on a lanyard. 

patient tracking systems in hospitals

There are multiple reasons why it is important for hospitals to use an efficient patient tracking systems. Advances in technology have improved so many outdated processes. In the healthcare industry groundbreaking IoT technology is in use to assist in patient tracking. Here are some examples:

  • Doctors and hospital staff. Hospital patient tracking systems can dramatically reduce workflow errors and improve communications among staff. Utilizing a patient tracking system can organize and track the patient’s progress and medical history creating an immediate database at the physician’s disposal. Tracking tools can also provide deep insight into how processes actually work and where bottlenecks occur. 
  • Family members and caretakers. Patient tracking capabilities can extend beyond hospital use and into the hands of loved ones. A patient tracking in hospitals can notify family of a patient’s movements and alert them when an emergency situation occurs such as a fall or even missed appointments.

What Are the Advantages of Patient Tracking System?

Hospitals implementing a patient location tracking system will experience numerous direct and indirect benefits. Patient tracking systems will improve a hospital’s day-to-day operations as well as the overall patient experience. 

Here’s a list of the Top Advantages of Patient Tagging Systems

  •  Locate patients. The real-time location of patients can be monitored in case of high-risk patients such as those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. 
  • Centralize medical records. Medical history, appointments, surgeons, doctors and nurses for each patient will be available and updates will happen in real time for immediate transparency. 
  • Increase patient throughput. A tracking system optimizes healthcare facility operations, allowing them to serve a higher volume of patients in a given time. 
  • Increase patient and visitor satisfaction. Having an orderly and efficient process in place will improve care and eventual outcomes for patients, improving satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Predict patient flow and admission rates. Over time, the collection of data will allow healthcare providers to create models to predict the necessary medication, equipment and PPE to improve service and reduce wasted resources. 
  • Alert hospital staff of emergency situations. Tracking technology can notify staff when a patient has an abrupt fall. This can increase response time to help the patient in need and bring attention to slippery floors or areas that may need more grab bars. 
  • Efficient bed management. Patient tracking software gives nurses the ability to visualize beds available as patients leave. Oftentimes when patients leave no one records their absence, leaving underutilized space.
  • Accountability. Patient tracking leaves a trail of data to hold staff accountable for their actions. 
  • Support claims. Similarly, patient tracking systems can provide evidence. They can support hospitals in deciding whether the claim is valid or not.
  • Improve decision-making. Hospital staff can access data from the tracking system and use it to get a complete overview of the hospital’s inner processes. From there, staff can decide what tasks to complete based on the data. 
  • Optimize cleaning. Cleaning staff can be notified when a patient leaves and can clean the room immediately. 

How to Create the Best Patient Tracking Systems for Your Hospital

patient tracking systems in hospitals

Implementing a hospital patient tracking systems is best done using reputable tracking system software. These days, a simple excel spreadsheet for tracking patient information is unacceptable (unless you are a private facility with only a few patients). To provide the most efficient care possible, you must research a hospital tracking system that can integrate seamlessly with your existing software. It should also be able to scale effortlessly to accommodate the demand of new patients. 

A mobile app is a great way to ensure information is available cross-platform and on the go. Doctors can have instant access records and patient locations on their phones, while nurses can streamline their workflow when they have direct visibility of patient movements. Family and caretakers can also use a patient tracking app to keep watch on family members. This empowers patients and visitors to continue to engage with their care. 

Best Technology to Implement a Patient Tracking Systems in a Hospital

patient tracking systems in hospitals

The most comprehensive hospital tracking systems use a combination of tags and IoT technology because it creates a direct line of communication between staff and patients. Mapsted is a location-based technology company offering an innovative heat mapping tracking solution known as Mapsted Flow. This technology works similarly to RFID but without the need for multiple RFID readers, reducing installation and hardware costs. Mapsted Badge patient tracking systems is equipped with an SOS button for patients or hospital staff to use when they need immediate assistance. For example, this feature enhances the security and safety of staff working late night shifts in the ER. These technologies are also game changers for healthcare personnel tracking to keep track of hospital personnel, optimizing staffing and keep healthcare workers safe in case of onsite incidents with patients or ER visitors. 

Large healthcare institutions partnering with an expert like Mapsted will reach the goals and requirements of the hospital. Having a partner with experience helps with the successful adoption of the product while allowing room for customization on an enterprise level. 

Implementing a patient tracking systems is a necessary improvement to the healthcare standard. Successful healthcare facilities require innovative solutions that can streamline and optimize care. Smart patient tracking gives better visibility to hospital staff and family members, improves patient safety and helps identify any gaps or areas of concern in everyday processes. 

Conclusion

To summarize, patient tracking systems in hospitals can improve clinical decisions, support medical claims, reduce errors, improve quality of care, increase practice efficiency, improve patient communication and satisfaction and assist in decreasing costs by reducing errors and accessing a centralized medical database.

This technology can put a healthcare institution leaps and bounds ahead of other healthcare providers and hopefully propel others to follow suit. If you would like to learn more about patient tracking systems in hospitals, contact a Mapsted representative to discuss a personalized solution for your hospital needs.

If you enjoyed this blog you will want to check out our blog on How Location Technology is Changing the Future of Healthcare in 2025, and our short video on how to Maximize Hospital Efficiencies With Location Technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is patient tracking?

A: Patients’ movements are tracked with sensor tags and IoT technology to identify the real-time location of the patient. This is especially useful in the case of wandering patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Q: What is patient movement?

A: Patient movement is how a patient moves throughout the hospital environment. An example could be moving from a doctor’s office to a medical imaging room.

Q: What is a patient flow chart?

A: A patient flow chart tracks the movement of patients coming in and out of the hospital. It helps with communication between staff from the process of admission to discharge.

Q: How is patient flow measured?

A: Overall hospital throughput; hospital performance; and unit performance.

Q: Why is patient throughput important?

A: Patient throughput allows for the efficient flow of patients through the hospital. It contributes to ensuring timely and appropriate care.

Futurize Your Facility With Advanced Location Technology – Fill Out This Form Today for a Free Mapsted Demo!

First Name

Last Name

Work Email

Company Name

Phone No.

Copyright © 2014-2025 Mapsted Corp. All rights reserved.