Hey Reader,

Location-based services (LBS) are fundamental to healthcare's digital transformation, yet many implementations fall short of expectations. While some systems even exceed expectations, the lack of consistent patterns creates an atmosphere of mistrust. It's is usually not the fault of the technology, the integrators or the customers. Usually bad outcomes are because the implementation strategy doesn't fit the organization. Too aggressive or too lean and expectations are not met. A key part of that strategy should be "gated" where each project "earns the right" to proceed to the next. Done correctly, the entire program pays for itself with the data to prove it.

TLDR:

Successful LBS implementation requires focusing on outcomes before ROI, understanding uncertainty in location systems, and building a strategic roadmap with proper governance structures.

Key Concepts:

• Location-based Services (LBS): Technologies and systems that enable tracking and managing assets, people, and workflows based on location data
• Location Fidelity: The accuracy and precision of location data provided by the system
• Planning Horizon: The timeframe over which decisions need to be made and data needs to be available

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Details

Understanding Uncertainty

All sensor systems have inherent uncertainty that should be factored into how they are used. Location fidelity varies based on environmental factors like building materials and architecture. Demos often show best-case scenarios, not real-world performance so it is not about eliminating uncertainty it is about understanding it.

Matching Solutions to Outcomes

To match the levels of uncertainty to the desired outcome you should focus on specific workflow requirements. Clinical engineering needs a specific IV Pump for preventive maintenance versus nursing that needs one that is clean and ready for use. These might both fall under the use case category of Asset Management but they each have different location requirements. Also, these are real-time "capable" systems but data gathered over longer "planning horizons" is full of valuable insights. These are only valuable if there is a goverance structure that is set up to consume them and is empowered to react.

Strategic Implementation Approach

Strategic alignment is found by starting with a review of all the organization's improvement initiatives. Most organizations don't realize where LBS can be the most effective so skipping this step is a missed opportunity. For example, maybe a top priority improvement initiative is Capacity Management. This should trigger a deeper look at patient location tracking as an opportunity for RTLS.

Governance is Critical

By establishing proper governance through LBS steering committee access to the operational strategy can be established. This means the composition of the committee should be mostly operational people with a few technical experts to guide the roadmap. The roadmap that is created has an "earn the right" theme to it. This means it has gates where the success criteria are evaluated. Economics are a determining factor if the next project starts.

• Create a roadmap that "earns the right"
• Have good ROM estimates for each project
• Tie outcomes to economic returns
• Ensure the outcome has enough time to be measured
• Focus on outcomes before ROI calculations
• Show the networking effect of each technology implementation
• Give process changes the consideration they deserve

Example projects that focus on outcomes.

• "Implement PAR Stocking for IV pumps" or "Implement a Comprehensive Loss Prevention Program" versus "Implement an RTLS Asset Management Solution"
• "Implement Capacity Management for Reduced LOS" or "Implement Patient Wandering Detection and Response" versus "Implement Patient Tracking"
• "Implement Staff Safety Incident Detection and Response" versus "implement Employee Duress System".
• "Reduce HAIs and Leapfrog Scores from Better Hand Hygiene" versus "implement Hand Hygiene Tracking"

Common Pitfalls

• Implementing tools without good process adaptation and departmental engagement.
• Focusing on how to use the technology instead of how to solve the business problems.
• Lack of governance, committment and oversight
• Failure to collect the data that can show evidence of improvement or lack of improvement.

Key Takeaways:

• Success requires focusing on outcomes and processes before selecting tools
• A strong governance structure through an LBS steering committee is essential
• Implementation should follow a strategic roadmap that demonstrates value at each stage
• Understanding system limitations and matching them to use cases is crucial

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Conclusion:

Location-based services can transform healthcare operations, but success requires a strategic approach focused on outcomes, proper governance, and careful attention to workflow integration. Start by establishing an LBS steering committee and creating a roadmap that builds on demonstrated success.

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Ready to develop your LBS strategy? Book a consultation to discuss creating a roadmap for your organization.

Until next week,

Paul E Zieske ​Location Based Services Consulting ​​​