Service Magazine Fall 2017

@Service Magazine Summer 2017 | 13 Breaking barriers “Encompass eliminates key barriers to an extremely valuable technology,” says Rob Reilly , VP and GM, USCAN Service. “Hospitals no longer have to wait months from their RTLS order to see a return on investment. The door is now wide open to optimal mobile device utilization and to cost savings that can run to millions of dollars.” Instead of a dedicated network of cabling and antennas, Encompass uses a system of inexpensive, battery-powered beacons and receivers that can simply be mounted on walls. It is easy to expand the system as a hospital grows and to reconfigure it if floor layouts are changed or spaces repurposed. Because the system software is cloud-based, hospital staff members can access it from anywhere on any mobile device – they do not have to go to a dedicated PC. There is no in-house server or software application for the IT staff to maintain and upgrade. More time for care Studies document that for a small to medium-sized hospital, staff members can locate equipment in one-sixth as much time with Encompass as in a hospital without RTLS. This means nurses can devote far more time to patient care, and biomedical staff can work much more efficiently. The Find app within the program delivers data on each device that includes the next planned maintenance due date, helping technicians keep maintenance compliant. A Manage app helps managers track actions needed on equipment and monitor stocking and par levels on essential devices such as IV infusion pumps. This helps staff members use inventory to its full potential and enables elimination of excess inventory and rentals. Encompass is a joint development between GE Healthcare and Zebra Technologies enterprise mobile computing solutions company. “Encompass makes the benefits of RTLS much more accessible to care organizations of every size and type,” says Rob. “It can be an important enabler of better quality care and higher staff and patient satisfaction.” Ready to roll in Houston Encompass technology has been installed and will soon go live at the brand-new Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, in a suburb north of Houston, TX. “We’ve deployed the beacons and receivers and attached beacons to all of the assets,” says Leigh Ruiz , Lead Biomedical Equipment Technician at the site. “The installation has gone really quick. It was very easy. “We’re finding new ways to use it to help the facility. For the pharmacy, we’re tagging the crash carts and tracking expiration dates so that they can use the asset beacons to locate supplies that are expiring. We’re also using it for wheelchairs and beds, so they can expedite patients departing the facility and locate beds to bring patients in. We’re lowering our bed wait times. "Everyone is really excited and ready to go.”