Methods and apparatus for managing healthcare assets and processes

A healthcare facility process management method wherein data from an asset management system provides information used to manage a healthcare facility process;

• the method comprising the steps of:
• operating an asset management system comprising a plurality of asset units, each asset unit carrying a durable information identifier;
• utilizing durable information identifier detectors to obtain data for quantifying or qualifying asset unit use at points of healthcare facility processes performed on the asset units;
• processing the data relating to asset unit use at points of healthcare facility processes to obtain additional data related to the carrying out of such facility processes;
• identifying healthcare facility processes to be measured or analyzed;
• retrieving process data from an asset management system by using a computational means;
• and
• analyzing the data by using a computational means, wherein the analyzed data provide measures and characteristics of the managed healthcare facility processes.

A method for managing assets and healthcare facility processes by tracking uses of asset units in a healthcare facility, the method comprising the steps of:

• retrofitting asset units with a durable information identifier;
• initiating facility operational process use of the asset units, wherein durable information identifier detectors configured to detect or measure the durable information identifier of the asset units are utilized, and wherein information received by the durable information identifier detectors is appended to databases containing information about the asset units as utilized by a facility for asset and process management;
• tracking process uses of the asset units in a facility, wherein durable information identifier detectors configured to detect a durable information identifier of the asset units are utilized in relation to the facility operational processes, and wherein information received by the durable information identifier detectors is appended to databases containing information about the asset units as utilized by a facility for asset and process management;
• acquiring additional data related to at least one healthcare facility operational process, wherein devices configured to acquire such additional data are utilized in relation to the facility operational processes, and wherein information received by the devices is appended to databases containing information about each process use;
• and
• operationally coupling the devices and durable information identifier detectors to a data acquisition system, wherein coupling is achieved by interfacing the devices and durable information identifier detectors to an information technology platform utilizing a computer-based data acquisition system linked to databases, wherein the devices and durable information identifier detectors further comprise computer-based systems including computers, processors, memory, displays or peripheral devices, and wherein computer-based systems utilize software practically applied to control the devices and durable information identifier detectors.