Real-Time Location Systems: Revolutionizing Porter Services for Improving Patient Care Efficiency

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Operations Management
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Traditional hospital transport porter (TPT) management lacks real-time spatial and temporal data, hindering operational efficiency and patient care.
• Inefficiencies in porter operations, including unanswered calls, impact hospital workflow and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the limitations of traditional transport porter management systems.
• To evaluate the impact of a real-time location system (IPTS) on improving time and cost efficiency for hospital transport porters.

Main Methods:

• A six-month study at Medanta - The Medicity, Gurugram, assessed traditional management limitations and IPTS efficiency.
• Key performance indicators included porter waiting time and total turnaround time (TAT).
• Cost-effectiveness was analyzed through capital expenditure and return on investment (ROI).

Main Results:

• 62% of calls were initially unanswered; IPTS implementation reduced TAT by 8 minutes (A-wing) and 8 minutes (B-wing).
• Staff optimization led to savings of ₹0.18 million (US$ 2150) monthly, with full capital expenditure recovery.
• Projected three-year cost reduction of ₹8.0 million (US$ 96,000) with expansion to medicine delivery.

Conclusions:

• IPTS implementation significantly enhances transport porter operational activities and staff utilization.
• Achieved cost savings through staff optimization provide a foundation for integrating new technologies for future operational advancements.