Abstract

Objective

Modern health care requires patients, staff, and equipment to navigate complex environments to deliver quality care efficiently. Real-time locating systems (RTLS) are local tracking systems that identify the physical locations of personnel and equipment in real time. Applications and analytic strategies to utilize RTLS-produced data are still under development. The objectives of this systematic review were to describe and analyze the key features of RTLS applications and demonstrate their potential to improve care delivery.

Materials and Methods

We searched MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and IEEE following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Inclusion criteria were articles that utilize RTLS to evaluate or influence workflow in a healthcare setting. We summarized aspects of relevant articles, identified key themes in the challenges of applying RTLS to workflow improvement, and thematically reviewed the state of quantitative analytic methodologies.

Results

We included 42 articles in the final qualitative synthesis. The most frequent study design was observational (n = 24), followed by descriptive (n = 12) and experimental (n = 6). The most common clinical environment for study was the emergency department (n = 12), followed by entire hospital (n = 7) and surgical ward (n = 6).

Discussion

The focus of studies changed over time from early experience to optimization to evaluation of an established system. Common narrative themes highlighted lessons learned regarding evaluation, implementation, and information visibility. Few studies have developed quantitative techniques to effectively analyze RTLS data.

Conclusions

RTLS is a useful and effective adjunct methodology in process and quality improvement, workflow analysis, and patient safety. Future directions should focus on developing enhanced analysis to meaningfully interpret RTLS data.

中文翻译：

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用于改善医疗保健服务的实时定位系统：系统评价

摘要

客观的

现代医疗保健需要患者、员工和设备在复杂的环境中导航，以高效地提供优质护理。实时定位系统 (RTLS) 是本地跟踪系统，可实时识别人员和设备的物理位置。利用 RTLS 生成的数据的应用程序和分析策略仍在开发中。本系统综述的目的是描述和分析 RTLS 应用程序的关键特征，并展示它们在改善护理服务方面的潜力。

材料和方法

我们按照 PRISMA（系统评价和元分析的首选报告项目）指南搜索了 MEDLINE、SCOPUS 和 IEEE。纳入标准是利用 RTLS 评估或影响医疗保健环境中的工作流程的文章。我们总结了相关文章的各个方面，确定了将 RTLS 应用于工作流改进的挑战中的关键主题，并以主题方式回顾了定量分析方法的状态。

结果

我们在最终的定性综合中收录了 42 篇文章。最常见的研究设计是观察性 (n = 24)，其次是描述性 (n = 12) 和实验性 (n = 6)。最常见的临床研究环境是急诊科 (n = 12)，其次是整个医院 (n = 7) 和外科病房 (n = 6)。

讨论

随着时间的推移，研究的重点从早期经验到优化，再到对已建立系统的评估。共同的叙事主题突出了在评估、实施和信息可见性方面的经验教训。很少有研究开发出定量技术来有效分析 RTLS 数据。

结论

RTLS 是一种在流程和质量改进、工作流程分析和患者安全方面有用且有效的辅助方法。未来的方向应侧重于开发增强分析以有意义地解释 RTLS 数据。