Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess if Real Time Locating Systems (RTLS) technology has an effect on the perioperative efficiency of anesthesiologists at our institution.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed for all outpatient and short-stay patients who received general anesthesia and monitored anesthesia care between January and June of 2016. Patients over 18 years with an ASA classification of 1, 2, and 3 were included. Time was used as a measure of efficiency between two groups of anesthesiologists.These two comparison groups were as follows: Group 1: Anesthesiologists at the academic center’s main campus who do not have access to RTLSGroup 2: Anesthesiologists at Josie Robertson Ambulatory Surgical Center where RTLS is available and use of RTLS is compulsoryTwo outcome measures were collected from patient electronic records: DUR1: Duration between when patient is admitted to a presurgical bed and preoperative evaluation by the attending anesthesiologistDUR2: Duration between when patient is admitted to the operating room and initiation of induction by the attending anesthesiologist.ResultsAnesthesiologists who had access to RTLS technology were found to be more efficient in completing their preoperative anesthesia evaluation and initiating intraoperative induction. They took less time to complete these tasks and the difference was statistically significant to p<0.0001ConclusionAnesthesiologists at our institution, who have access to RTLS as an additional communication tool, were found to be consistently more efficient in their perioperative workflow. There are confounding factors that can account for the shorter times and more efficient perioperative workflow of anesthesiologists. With continued application and investigation over time, the utility of RTLS on workflow efficiency of healthcare providers will become more apparent.

Highlights

  • Common modes of communication within healthcare systems have included the telephone and pager

  • Anesthesiologists who had access to real-time locating systems (RTLS) technology were found to be more efficient in completing their preoperative anesthesia evaluation and initiating intraoperative induction

  • There are confounding factors that can account for the shorter times and more efficient perioperative workflow of anesthesiologists

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Summary

Introduction

Common modes of communication within healthcare systems have included the telephone and pager. In addition to an increased use of personal cell phones in the healthcare setting, innovation in telecommunications has led to the introduction of more advanced systems such as wireless LAN-based interactive voice response systems (IVR) and real-time locating systems (RTLS). RTLS is a technology that allows tracking of assets and individuals within a hospital and has the potential for many applications in healthcare [1]. While both systems are gaining traction in healthcare settings, neither system has been widely implemented to date [1]. At our institution, wireless LAN-based IVR system has long been in use, and RTLS was recently implemented in the new ambulatory surgical center when the center became operational in January 2016

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