Exploration of spatial-temporal patterns in healthcare implementation of RFID indoor navigation system

The development of advanced spatial-positioning systems for medical monitoring and emergency response using RFID and Wi-Fi technologies is a current research focus of many healthcare organizations. The goal of such system is to support real-time location tracking of medical equipments and personnel in hospital settings using RTLS technology. This paper presents a spatial-temporal data analysis based on data collected at the W21C of Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Canada. The collected data, comprising real-time observations and tracking paths, has been used to perform advanced statistical pattern analysis and visualization of work-flow patterns in health care system. From this analysis, we bring forward some insights into medical resource, asset and facility utilization in a clinical care ward of a regional healthcare organization. This gained knowledge could be used as one of the inputs in improving patient care, responsiveness, and infection control practices.