Mary Jagim: Transforming Healthcare Through Real-Time Location Systems
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the safety and well-being of patients and staff have emerged as paramount concerns. High-quality patient care hinges on a multitude of factors, including organizational processes, system implementation, data accuracy, and robust support for healthcare professionals. Mary Jagim, MS, RN, CEN, FAEN, a Principal Consultant at CenTrak, is at the forefront of addressing these challenges through innovative solutions that enhance patient safety and operational efficiency.
The Challenge of Burnout in Healthcare
According to the 2024 Nursing Shortage Statistics Book, approximately 60% of nurses report experiencing burnout, with a staggering 13% contemplating leaving the profession. This pervasive issue not only affects healthcare professionals but also has a direct impact on patient outcomes. As healthcare leadership grapples with the challenge of supporting their teams, the focus has shifted towards investing in technology that fosters connection and collaboration between patients and providers.
The principles of patient- and family-centered care are being increasingly recognized as vital to improving safety, reducing medical errors, and enhancing communication within healthcare settings. By leveraging technology, healthcare organizations can alleviate administrative burdens that contribute to staff burnout, allowing caregivers to focus on what truly matters: patient care.
The Role of Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS)
Manual tasks in healthcare settings often lead to increased stress and diminished patient interaction time for caregivers. Mary Jagim advocates for the adoption of Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS), which have proven to be effective in enhancing collaboration and communication among healthcare teams, patients, and their families. RTLS provides scalable enterprise visibility, easing operational burdens, improving safety, and delivering critical data insights that healthcare providers need.
Ensuring Staff Safety: A Non-Negotiable Priority
One of the foremost responsibilities of healthcare leadership is to ensure that staff feel safe in their work environment. Establishing a secure atmosphere for both patients and healthcare professionals is essential for fostering peace of mind and enabling staff to concentrate on patient care.
Transformational technologies, such as RTLS that utilize Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), offer actionable data insights that address the needs of healthcare teams while supporting leadership goals. These systems can be easily implemented and scaled, leveraging existing hospital networks to enhance safety measures, such as staff duress solutions.
Enhancing Emergency Response with RTLS
Mobile staff duress solutions are revolutionizing safety protocols in hospitals across the nation. By equipping team members with wireless badges that feature duress buttons, healthcare facilities can ensure rapid response capabilities during emergencies. When a staff member feels threatened, they can summon additional resources and security at any time, providing peace of mind and enhancing overall safety.
The hybrid architecture of RTLS systems allows for seamless integration of BLE and other visibility technologies, empowering healthcare facilities to adapt to the specific needs of different departments. This interoperability is crucial for optimizing resource allocation and ensuring that staff can respond effectively to patient needs.
Reducing Administrative Burdens Through Automation
The implementation of RTLS solutions enables healthcare organizations to analyze actionable data, optimizing resource allocation and staffing during peak periods. By automating non-clinical tasks, healthcare professionals can alleviate the burden of manual documentation, which is a significant contributor to burnout.
Advanced workflow platforms powered by RTLS streamline processes by providing real-time updates on patient status, estimated wait times, and staff assignments. This technology ensures that healthcare teams are aligned and can respond promptly to patient needs, ultimately enhancing the quality of care.
Increasing Time for Patient Care
Delays in patient care and clinical workflow bottlenecks often stem from outdated systems and manual data entry. A staggering 63% of healthcare workers report spending over an hour per shift searching for necessary data or equipment. By automating these tasks with RTLS, clinicians can dedicate more time to patient care, reducing stress and improving outcomes.
RTLS technology offers real-time visibility into equipment locations, alerts for maintenance, and comprehensive insights into patient flow. This allows healthcare providers to focus on delivering high-quality care rather than navigating logistical challenges.
The Importance of Combining Technology with Human Insights
To achieve optimal workflow efficiency and enhance patient and staff experiences, it is essential to pair technological advancements with human insights. Mary Jagim emphasizes the importance of expert-led consulting and training services that help healthcare organizations identify pain points and deploy the right technology effectively.
By leveraging ongoing guidance and tailored assessments, healthcare teams can maximize their use of location technologies, driving meaningful change throughout their organizations.
About Mary Jagim
Mary Jagim is a distinguished leader in healthcare consulting, specializing in real-time location systems, emergency nursing, healthcare operations, and public policy. As the national president of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) in 2001, she played a pivotal role in developing key management courses and guidelines for emergency departments. Her extensive experience includes serving on the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Study on the Future of Emergency Care and the National Quality Forum E.D. Consensus Standards Committee.
At CenTrak, Mary collaborates with healthcare organizations to harness real-time technologies and process enhancements that improve patient experiences, safety, and workflow efficiency. With over 15 years of experience implementing RTLS projects, she has developed the "Jagim Lean RTLS Model for Healthcare," positioning her as one of the leading experts in the field.
Conclusion
Mary Jagim’s work at CenTrak exemplifies the transformative potential of technology in healthcare. By prioritizing staff safety, reducing administrative burdens, and enhancing patient care through innovative solutions like RTLS, healthcare organizations can navigate the challenges of burnout and improve outcomes for both patients and providers. As the industry continues to evolve, the insights and leadership of professionals like Mary Jagim will be crucial in shaping a more efficient, effective, and compassionate healthcare system.