Home > Healthcare > Healthcare IT > Surveillance Solutions > Real-time Location Systems (RTLS) for Hospital Beds Market
Based on voltage range, the market is divided into RFID, Wi-Fi, UWB, BLE, GPS and Others. The RFID segment accounted for a industry share of over 32% in 2023. RFID systems deliver precise, real-time insights into hospital bed availability and usage. This functionality empowers hospitals to manage their bed inventory more efficiently, minimizing the time spent locating beds and optimizing their use to align with patient needs. Considering the European Union's focus on enhancing healthcare efficiency and patient safety through advanced technologies.
For instance, a 2022 report from the ASHP Foundation indicates that approximately 40% of surveyed healthcare organizations have implemented RFID technology, with an additional 31% currently exploring its potential use. By automating processes, RFID diminishes the need for manual tracking and record-keeping. This streamlining not only lightens the administrative load but also enhances resource allocation and accelerates response times during critical moments.
Based on the application, the RTLS for hospital beds market is categorized into patient tracking, operational efficiency, workflow and process automation, data-driven management, and others. In 2023, the patient tracking segment accounted for the industry share of over 34% in 2023. RTLS patient tracking applications are essential for monitoring and managing patient flow, ensuring strict adherence to infection control protocols, and reducing cross-contamination risks. By providing real-time data on patient locations and movements, these systems enhance quarantine practices and hygiene measures, driving their adoption in hospitals. The adoption of advanced solutions in the EU healthcare sector highlights a significant trend towards integrating cutting-edge technologies to address evolving system demands.
For instance, in January 2024, Blueiot launched new RTLS technology curated for patient tracking and medical staff optimization. This improvement has substantially decreased the time required to locate medical assets, thereby boosting operational efficiency and reducing disruptions in patient care.
North America led the RTLS for hospital beds market with a share of over 37% in 2023. In North America, large lakes and coastal areas promote a strong boating culture. North America holds the largest share in the real-time location systems for hospital beds market due to the region's advanced healthcare infrastructure, early adoption of cutting-edge technologies, and strong focus on patient care efficiency. Hospitals across the U.S. and Canada are increasingly adopting RTLS to improve asset tracking, reduce patient wait times, and enhance operational workflow. Moreover, the region benefits from favorable government initiatives aimed at improving healthcare outcomes and reducing costs, along with the presence of key RTLS providers such as CenTrak, Stanley Healthcare, and TeleTracking Technologies.
In Europe, the market for RTLS in hospital beds is driven by stringent regulatory frameworks around patient safety, as well as increasing investments in smart healthcare systems. Countries like Germany, the U.K., and France are rapidly adopting RTLS to streamline hospital operations, reduce operational costs, and meet rising demand for hospital beds in critical care units, which is especially important given Europe’s aging population.
Meanwhile, in the Asia-Pacific RTLS for hospital beds market region, rapid progression is anticipated due to expanding healthcare infrastructure, particularly in emerging economies such as China, India, and Southeast Asian nations. Rising investments in healthcare technology, coupled with increasing awareness about patient safety and operational efficiency in hospitals, are driving the adoption of RTLS systems. The APAC region also benefits from government-led initiatives to improve healthcare services, which is further encouraging hospitals to implement real-time monitoring systems to optimize bed usage and reduce patient bottlenecks.