New solution uses real-time location systems to increase hospital capacity

Hospital beds are a hot commodity, and inefficiency in bed turnover can bottleneck patient care. New York-based Kontakt.io, a leader in AI-powered real-time location systems (RTLS), has stepped up with a new solution — Rapid Room Turnover. This technology automates bed turnover, slashing downtime and allowing hospitals to move patients in and out more efficiently.

For overburdened nurses, it's a potential game-changer, cutting out tedious admin tasks and letting them focus on what matters: patient care.

How does it work?

Traditionally, a patient leaves, a nurse updates the electronic health record (EHR), and then environmental services swoop in to clean the room. The problem? Nurses are busy with patient care, and updating the system isn't always at the top of their minds. That means beds sit empty longer than necessary, delaying new admissions and clogging hospital workflows.

Kontakt.io's solution fixes this by using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags to track patient movement in real time. When a patient physically leaves, the system automatically detects the discharge and alerts cleaning staff to get started immediately — no manual updates needed. Hospitals that have tested this system report drastic improvements, with room idle times cut by up to 50%.

Why does it matter?

Hospital capacity isn't just a logistics issue — it's a financial one. A 200-bed hospital using Rapid Room Turnover could see:

• $1.52 million in additional revenue per year
• A 4.17% increase in patient capacity
• 760 more patients treated annually

In Mississippi, hospitals with over 250 beds saw occupancy rates jump from 73.1% in 2020 to 80.7% in 2024. As demand rises, hospitals must find ways to make every bed count. By cutting unnecessary wait times, Kontakt.io's technology helps hospitals optimize resources, improve patient satisfaction, and boost revenue.

"Patient discharge — the final step in a patient's journey — is one of the most obvious waste items in patient flow," says Rom Eizenberg, Chief Revenue Officer at Kontakt.io. "Our solution unlocks faster ROI while freeing up nurses from tedious admin tasks to focus on bedside care."

The context

Healthcare systems are stretched thin, and hospital overcrowding is a persistent problem. Nurses are burnt out, hospital budgets are tight, and patients expect seamless care. Solutions that improve efficiency without increasing staff workload are rare — but invaluable. RTLS and IoT-powered automation have already transformed supply chain logistics and retail; now, they're changing healthcare.

Kontakt.io's Rapid Room Turnover is more than just a tech upgrade — it's (almost) a necessity for modern hospitals. Faster room turnover means more patients treated, less frustration for hospital staff, and a more efficient healthcare system overall.