Skytron, a division of the KMW Group, Inc., unveiled that its Real-time Location, or RTLS, collaborative solution, powered by Awarepoint and Intelligent InSites has been successfully implemented by Spectrum Health to automatically track and manage over 5,300 hospital assets throughout its downtown and cross town campuses.

This is said to include 1.8 million square feet for Butterworth Hospital, Fred and Lenna Meijer Heart Center, Helen DeVos Women's and Children's Center and Blodgett Memorial Hospital.

"Tracking medical equipment that requires preventative maintenance to ensure patient safety was priority #1," Robert Rinck, director of Clinical Engineering for Spectrum (News - Alert) Health System said.

 "In addition, optimizing the utilization of our mobile assets, including our infusion pumps, wheelchairs, computers on wheels has provided early and immediate benefits for deploying the RTLS solution. We can use the assets more efficiently, reducing rentals and capital purchases, while improving workflows," Rinck added.

Skytron’s solution powered by Awarepoint is said to broadcast low power radio messages which allow Spectrum Health to quickly locate specific assets and provide real time, automatic location data capture via the Intelligent InSites' Enterprise Visibility Platform. Eventually, the information can be used to visualize the location and status of assets, track equipment utilization rates.

David M. Mehney, president and chief executive officer of Skytron clarified that the company has been associating with Spectrum Health for over 35 years and delivering progressive, quality medical equipment innovations here in West Michigan. He believes that this deployment will further enhance patient care, clinical workflows and efficiency.

"Initial installation and simply locating assets is just the beginning step of a successful RTLS partnership. Achieving ongoing clinical and financial benefits for Spectrum Health is of paramount importance to Awarepoint, Skytron and Intelligent InSites," Valerie Fritz, senior VP of Marketing at Awarepoint said.

"In addition to using InSites' suite of applications that leverage the location information generated by Awarepoint's ZigBee mesh network, Spectrum Health is able to utilize InSite's open and interoperable architecture to integrate with their existing equipment management software, allowing Spectrum Health to enhance their current systems and processes," Mark Rheault, president and chief executive officer at Intelligent InSites said.