How Altru Advanced Orthopedics Improved Patient Flow with RTLS
Altru Advanced Orthopedics combined Sonitor Sense RTLS with process improvements to shorten patient cycle times, redirect staff time to higher-value work and increase clinical capacity.
25%
shorter patient cycle time
Reported over three months
4,500+
minutes redirected each week
From non-value-added to value-added activities; reported over three months
92+
additional surgical cases
Reported over three months
24%
increase in annualized net revenue
Reported within the first six months after deployment
- Location
- Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
- Care setting
- Orthopedics
- Technology deployed
- Sonitor Sense RTLS
- Deployment year
- 2016
The challenge
Before deployment, Altru’s baseline survey found providers spent upwards of half their time on administrative tasks away from patients. The team reviewed waiting times, visit duration, workflows and productivity to identify opportunities for more direct patient care.
The solution in practice
Working with Eide Bailly consultants, Altru reviewed its business processes and deployed Sonitor Sense RTLS in 2016. Patients and staff wore tags that provided location and timing information through Sonitor’s ultrasound-based technology.
Comparing these data with the baseline helped Altru identify bottlenecks and change its processes. It separated value-added work supporting care from non-value-added tasks that consumed time without improving the patient experience.
Results and impact
The early operational improvements shown above were reported over three months. The increase in annualized net revenue was reported within six months.
Two years after introducing the process changes, Altru described more standardized workflows and less variation. Patients spent more time with providers while spending less time in the clinic. These outcomes reflect the combined use of location data, process analysis and changes in care delivery.
"Data from the Sense RTLS system became core to what the clinical team is all about. We always had the patient voice because we were constantly asking 'how’s this working for you? Do you mind these tags?' and the answers are always very positive. Now with the impact of the data from the system, clinicians and administrators are big fans as well."
Explore RTLS for Your Patient Flow Challenges
Where do delays occur in your patient journey? Talk to Sonitor about your care setting, workflow bottlenecks and the location information your team needs to support improvement.