Innovative hospital bed management using spatial technology

Abstract

[Abstract]: An efficient bed allocation management GIS based system tool, eBeds, is being developed within the hospital environment to meet the health industry’s patient management protocols and to address community concerns. Inefficiencies and continuing difficulties in management of available and appropriate beds within hospitals have not been overcome and continue to be a source of practical, financial and management frustration. The eBeds system is a practical, flexible and dynamic tool that aids planning and management of bed numbers, types and location for the allocation of in-patients. Using a geographical format, the data displayed is in a visual layout, in real-time, of the exact location of each bed within a room, ward or floor. It also has the capability to permit examination of a bed’s attached patient records as existing hospital software applications can be efficiently and seamlessly integrated into eBeds. eBeds crystallizes the large number of current generally unsophisticated hospital methods used to gather, collate and display patient related information. It also complements the spatial industry expansion into other medical related areas, such as ageing population, community health and emergency services.