Optimising Healthcare IT: How Traka's Device Management Solutions Enhance Patient Care and Operational Efficiency

Written by Traka

In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, where technology is the backbone of operations, effective device management is crucial.

From keys to sensitive areas to the laptops that healthcare workers use to access patient records to the medical devices that support critical care, every piece of equipment plays a vital role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality patient care.

When these keys or devices are unaccountable or are not operating at their best, the impact on healthcare services can be significant. This can lead to delays in patient care, increased operational costs and added stress on healthcare professionals.

Poor Device Management in Healthcare

Nurses and healthcare professionals rely heavily on devices to coordinate care, access patient information, and communicate with colleagues. When a device does not operate correctly, it can create a domino effect of delays, compromising the quality of care provided and increasing the burden on already stretched healthcare teams.

Inefficient device management also incurs significant operational costs. When devices are faulty, healthcare staff may have to travel considerable distances to drop off the equipment for repairs or to pick up replacements.

This not only takes them away from their primary duties—caring for patients—but also leads to increased operational expenses as more devices may need to be purchased to avoid further delays.

Transforming Healthcare IT

Traka has developed a suite of solutions designed to optimise key and device management to proactively improve the efficiency of healthcare IT operations.

At the forefront of these innovations is the FIX (Faulty Item Exchange) solution, a feature of TrakaWEB,

The FIX Solution is designed around how faulty devices are managed in healthcare settings. Rather than simply being a physical locker, the FIX Solution operates as an intelligent software feature that integrates seamlessly into a healthcare provider's IT infrastructure.

When a device develops a fault, the FIX Solution allows healthcare staff to quickly and efficiently log the issue through TrakaWEB. This system automatically alerts the IT support team and notifies them of the fault type, enabling them to prepare a replacement device.

The faulty device can be dropped off at a designated location, where it is securely stored and tracked through RFID tagging, ensuring that it is accounted for at all times.

TrakaWEB facilitates the remote release of replacement devices, meaning that staff can obtain a working device without delay, even if IT support is not immediately on-site. The entire process—from logging the fault to retrieving a replacement—is fully audited and recorded in TrakaWEB, providing complete transparency and accountability.

This streamlined process reduces downtime, minimizes travel for staff, and ensures that healthcare teams have access to the tools they need to provide uninterrupted patient care. 

Case Study: NHS Trust in East Anglia

The FIX Solution has been implemented at a large NHS trust in East Anglia.

With a device estate that includes 7,500 RFID-tagged laptops and mobile phones across six remote locations, the Trust faced significant challenges in managing device faults. Before adopting TrakaWEB, the time and resources required to manage these devices were considerable, often leading to delays in care delivery.

With the FIX solution, the Trust has drastically improved its efficiency. When a device becomes faulty, healthcare workers can log the issue in TrakaWEB and immediately receive a replacement.

The faulty device is then securely stored and tracked until it is collected for repair. This system has reduced travel time, minimized disruption to patient care, and saved the Trust both time and money, while also enhancing the wellbeing of their staff.

Key Management

Traka partners with healthcare facilities to present essential key management solutions, such as S Touch Pro, its most secure electronic key cabinet to date.

S Touch Pro is a sophisticated key management system that uses advanced technology to track and monitor key usage. Each key is securely stored in an electronic cabinet of sleek design and is only accessible to authorised users.

The system records every interaction, including who accessed the key, when it was taken, and when it was returned. This level of detail is invaluable in healthcare settings, where access to certain areas must be tightly controlled to ensure patient safety and operational efficiency.

By integrating S Touch Pro into operations, healthcare providers can reduce the risk of unauthorised access, preventing the loss of keys and ensuring critical areas and resources are always available to those who need them.

This not only enhances security but also improves overall operational efficiency by reducing the time spent searching for misplaced keys or managing key access manually.

A New Standard for Healthcare IT Operations

As healthcare continues to evolve, the need for efficient, reliable IT operations becomes increasingly critical.

Traka’s solutions, including locker and key management control together with its specialist FIX solution, represent a significant step forward in meeting these needs. By reducing downtime, enhancing device and key management, and improving overall efficiency,

Traka, on stand E6 at the HETT Show will demonstrate how its tailored solutions are helping healthcare providers deliver better care to patients while optimising their operations.

For more information on Traka’s healthcare solutions visit: https://loom.ly/B3Q5PyI