Connectivity the No. 1 tech trend among health facilities managers

When it comes to technology, facility managers tend to look for tools that not only help to complete a specific task, but also help to connect and facilitate other tasks as well. Health care facility managers are focused on making their buildings smarter with systems that can “talk” to one another. In a sense, it mimics the trend of integrated care, realizing that the whole works better when the parts are on one accord. Here are some of the most popular technology features of 2016.

Internet of Things transforms health facility operations

From asset tracking to system integration, the Internet of Things (IoT) has opened a new world for health care facility managers. This feature details the innovative ways hospitals have used IoT, including one that has reduced patient transport time by 40 percent after implementing a patient-tracking program.

Command center leads to more efficient operations

Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, launched a command center that provides real-time predictive analytics to staff, helping those on the front lines to manage patient- and workflows more effectively. The hospital says the system takes a page out of the aerospace and aviation industries, and has helped the hospital to reduce operating room transfer delays by 70 percent.

UPMC advances virtual care visits

Telehealth is often touted as a way to increase access to care, especially in rural environments and for those with chronic conditions. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is one of the health systems on the forefront of this movement. Its cloud-based platform allows patients to transmit data through a smartphone or other mobile device directly to their health care teams who can follow up virtually.

Gaining a real-time view of operations with RTLS

The amount and variation of work happening in hospitals on a daily basis can be daunting. From simple checkups to major operations, moving supplies and people through a large facility efficiently is no small feat. Makers of real-time locating systems, however, are trying to ease hospital operations with technology that can keep continuous track of what’s moving throughout the facility and log data for users to review and utilize.

Editor's note: This blog is part of an end-of-years series, in which Health Facilities Management's editors review some of the year's top stories. Catch our first post on trends in health care construction.