Versus Advantages™ Real Time Locating System (RTLS) Selected by The Johns Hopkins Hospital

 

(Traverse City, Michigan, November 29, 2011) – Following two successful Versus pilot projects, The Johns Hopkins Hospital has selected Versus Advantages™ RTLS from Versus Technology, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: VSTI).  The Real-time Locating System will support staff locating and asset tracking in the Weinberg building OR and automated nurse call cancellation throughout the Johns Hopkins new clinical buildings. Johns Hopkins evaluation efforts began in 2008.

 

Between May and December 2008, The Johns Hopkins Hospital piloted several different real time locating system solutions throughout their 12,000 sq. ft. Simulation Center. These pilots included staff and asset tracking utilizing a variety of real time locating system technologies, including Wi-Fi, a beacon infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system and IR-RFID solution from Versus. To conduct the pilots, Johns Hopkins permitted each vendor to install their solution and train Sim Center staff to use the system. From there, the RTLS was used continuously for six weeks. Staff were able to evaluate accuracy, ease of use and alerts capability. After the six-week test period, the RTLS in use was removed and the next was installed. This guaranteed that each RTLS received ample and dedicated use during the pilot phase.

 

Following the results of the Sim Center pilot, Versus RTLS was installed in the Weinberg OR for a production system pilot. Here, Versus RTLS was evaluated for its ability to provide the location of key staff members and critical clinical assets to support the workflow of a busy OR. This included producing accurate reports of asset utilization to better locate equipment. This pilot began in November 2009 and lasted 90 days. The pilot was deemed successful and the RTLS, having proven its worth, remains in use for asset tracking.

 

A separate pilot was conducted in The Johns Hopkins Hospital Nelson building on the 8^th floor nursing unit. This pilot focused on using Versus RTLS to automate GE’s Telligence nurse call system. Following successful demonstration of automated nurse call cancellation and passive nurse registry, Versus Advantages RTLS for staff locating, asset tracking and nurse call automation was selected for deployment in the new clinical building, opening in April 2012.

 

“While there is much work yet to be done, these ‘Proof of Concept’ evaluations represent significant milestones for Versus,” says HT Snowday, President, Versus. “To have one of the world’s top healthcare and research facility test, and ultimately choose to implement, our solution helps substantiate the story we’ve been telling for over 20 years. Accuracy matters.” Versus has demonstrated a unique blend of accuracy, application suitability, enterprise scalability, cost effectiveness and clinical reliability with regard to both its hardware and software. Through service and commitment to innovation, Versus has elevated the standards to which RTLS is expected to perform in today’s healthcare delivery environment.