Evaluation of real-time location system (RTLS) application in radiology departments- an empirical study on enhancing equipment management efficiency and patient safety

W-C Tseng; Y-C Wang; W-C Chen; K-P Lin

doi:10.1016/j.radi.2025.102999

Evaluation of real-time location system (RTLS) application in radiology departments- an empirical study on enhancing equipment management efficiency and patient safety

Radiography (Lond). 2025 Jul;31(4):102999. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2025.102999. Epub 2025 Jun 5.

Authors

W-C Tseng¹, Y-C Wang², W-C Chen³, K-P Lin⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, 106, Taiwan; Department of Electrical Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, 320, Taiwan.
² Department of Radiology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, 106, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, 242, Taiwan.
³ Public Health Bureau, New Taipei, 220, Taiwan; Cardinal Tien College of Healthcare & Management, New Taipei, 231, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Electrical Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, 320, Taiwan. Electronic address: kplin@cycu.edu.tw.

PMID: 40479978
DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2025.102999

Abstract

Introduction: The radiology department is crucial in medical diagnosis and treatment but faces challenges like managing costly equipment and ensuring patient safety. Traditional models often lead to resource misallocation, scheduling delays, and safety risks. Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) provide solutions by tracking equipment location, status, and usage, enhancing management efficiency, patient safety, and offering insights for innovative hospital management.

Methods: This study used an on-site empirical research method, deploying RTLS on mobile digital X-ray machines in the radiology department. Over six months, data were collected on metrics such as equipment scheduling time, idle rate, and system stability. A Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) assessed system performance, user satisfaction, and workflow impact.

Results: RTLS implementation significantly improved scheduling efficiency, reducing average scheduling time from 12 to 5 min (58.3 %). The idle rate decreased from 16 % to 12 % (25 % improvement), enhancing resource utilization. System stability was high, with a data loss rate under 1 %. Signal stability improved to over 95 % after reconfiguring nodes, ensuring reliable operation even in challenging environments.

Conclusion: RTLS technology enhances operational efficiency and patient safety, serving as a strategic asset for smart hospitals. It optimizes radiology equipment management, reduces scheduling delays, and improves the work environment for radiographers. By using POE and dynamic optimization strategies, a standardized management model was established. However, challenges like high costs, integration issues, and signal interference persist. Future research should focus on improving signal stability, reducing costs, and exploring more clinical applications.

Implications for practice: RTLS strengthens equipment management, improves patient safety, boosts operational efficiency, and supports smart healthcare systems integration. It lays the foundation for sustainable medical institution development and offers a model for future hospital-wide digital transformation.

Keywords: Equipment management; Operational efficiency; Patient safety; Real-time location system (RTLS).

MeSH terms

Efficiency, Organizational*
Humans
Patient Safety*
Radiology Department, Hospital* / organization & administration
Workflow