When you put Spotto’s simple indoor equipment tracking solution into a hospital it can make a real difference to a diverse set of users. Some of the benefits are obvious, such as improved patient outcomes when staff are able to find the equipment they need quickly in a time-critical situation. And reducing the frustration and time staff spend searching for equipment.
Other benefits are more subtle, even behavioural. For example we’re seeing that Nurse Unit Managers are happy to let equipment be out in the wild (not under lock and key for when they need it) because they know they’ll be able to find it when it’s needed. And items being returned more reliably because the borrowers know that the item is tracked. Even dispelling ‘myths’ that have grown up about who takes equipment and doesn’t return it.
Below is a selection of real stories from the front line of hospital workers across two hospitals who have been using Spotto for a few months. Names have been changed.
Meena manages a general pool of Bariatric Equipment and handles equipment distribution. The tracking system enabled her to transition away from daily excel printouts with pen and liquid paper to real-time visibility of equipment locations throughout the hospital.
Ben, an Environmental Services Supervisor, reports that “Spotto’s reduced the search time for equipment to zero.” His team uses the system on PCs and will soon deploy it on hospital-provided Android phones to track beds, regulators, wheelchairs, bolsters, lifters, and pumps.
Gloria works in Operating Theatres and discovered within a week that the equipment was almost always returned but not always to where they expected it, debunking myths about other wards stealing Calf Compressors.
Frances, a Nurse Unit Manager in a rehabilitation ward, uses the system to track Niki Pumps (syringe pumps for drug delivery). The technology enabled her to confidently lend equipment while knowing the status of borrowed items.
Gary from Environmental Services tags bolsters and mattresses that accompany bariatric beds to prevent costly equipment separation.
Greta manages PCA pumps in Theatres and noted that it doesn’t matter whose pumps they are provided they have access to enough pumps.
Elizabeth, a senior manager, previously spent 40+ minutes locating expensive non-folding Stryker wheelchairs. Now she can locate high-value assets instantly.
Ali needed urgent access to a hoverjack for bariatric patient lifting. After spending 40 minutes searching previously, he now has immediate access to equipment locations.
Paul in Environmental Services avoids unnecessary call-outs by checking equipment availability on the system before dispatching staff.
Debbie previously spent half days searching for scattered bariatric equipment. The system has improved trust and eliminated time spent searching.
Staff appreciate the system’s simplicity and the ability to search using shorthand equipment names rather than full identifiers.