Survey Finds 68% of Healthcare Respondents Not Familiar with Indoor Location Technologies
July 28, 2017 | ABI ResearchEstimated reading time: 1 minute
In a recent B2B technology survey of 455 U.S.-based companies across nine verticals, ABI Research finds that only 32% of respondents are familiar with indoor location technologies and their cost saving benefits. The findings show a disconnect between the healthcare industry’s evident need for an asset tracking solution and their willingness to implement one. Only 2% of healthcare respondents had plans to deploy an indoor location solution within the next twelve months.
“The healthcare industry could see significant returns on investment by tracking assets such as infusion pumps across facilities, especially as medical devices become increasingly advanced and more expensive” says Samuel McLaughlin, Research Analyst at ABI Research. “There is reluctance within healthcare to deploy asset tracking solutions, despite the potential to save both money and lives. Installation expenses can be high if the solution is not compatible with the hospital’s already-existing network infrastructure and regulations. Indoor location vendors must demonstrate they can offer standards-based systems which can support interoperability features, resulting in easier installation and reduced upfront costs.”
Multiple industry sources estimate that between 10% and 20% of hospital inventory is stolen or lost each year. This could be partly attributed to healthcare personnel favoring certain equipment and keeping it in areas where only they can access it, rather than where it should be stored. Typical assets that might be tracked in a hospital include ventilators, dialysis machines, heart rate monitors, wheelchairs, and IV pumps. One hospital alone has estimated the yearly cost of replacing IV pumps at US$70k.
Adoption of new and emerging technologies has been traditionally slower in healthcare compared to other verticals, often due to funding issues and cost-saving measures at a government or organizational level. “Recent breaches in security in healthcare systems due to antiquated systems across the world should serve as a wake-up call in hospital organizations to embrace emerging technologies sooner rather than later,” concludes McLaughlin.
Suggested Items
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Sustainability in the Industry
04/26/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOGuest Editor Henry Crandall and Chris Nash of Indium Corporation discuss the company's 90th anniversary and its focus on sustainability. They focus on the benefits of sustainable materials, their compatibility, and value propositions. The conversation also highlights how Durafuse LT technology's role in reducing reflow temperatures is leading to significant cost and energy savings. Nash also touches on downstream sustainability efforts such as using recycled materials for packaging.
Book Excerpt: The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to... Factory Analytics
04/24/2024 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn our fast-changing, deeply competitive, and margin-tight industry, factory analytics can be the key to unlocking untapped improvements to guarantee a thriving business. On top of that, electronics manufacturers are facing a tremendous burden to do more with less. If you don't already have a copy of this book, what follows is an excerpt from the introduction chapter of 'The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to... Factory Analytics: Unlocking Efficiency Through Data Insights' to whet your appetite.
Ark Electronics Expands Global Manufacturing Factory Network in North America and Europe
04/17/2024 | PRNewswireElectronic Manufacturing Company Ark Electronics recently announced the expansion of its Global Factory Network with the addition of Electronics Manufacturing Service (EMS) capabilities in Mexico and Europe.
Microchip Technology Acquires Neuronix AI Labs
04/16/2024 | Microchip Technology Inc.Innovative technology enhances AI-enabled intelligent edge solutions and increases neural networking capabilities.
Fluor Awarded U.S. Air Force Contract Augmentation Program V Task Order for Tinian
04/11/2024 | BUSINESS WIREFluor Corporation announced that the U.S. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency awarded the company a task order contract for Pavement and Transportation Support North Field, Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).