Episode 23: Workplace Safety in Healthcare: How RTLS Protects Nurses & Patients

Podcast Episode Summary    In this CarePoints Podcast episode, host Kenny Schiff sits down with Allen Foucht, BSN, RN, CLSSMBB, Senior Engagement Consultant at Midmark Consulting, to discuss the critical role of Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) in modern healthcare. Drawing from Allen's nursing background and frontline experience, the conversation explores how RTLS has evolved from asset tracking to a must-have solution for staff safety, duress alerts, and workflow optimization. They delve into how Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and hybrid RTLS technologies are reducing costs, enhancing adoption, and creating safer environments for both patients and caregivers. The episode highlights why facility-wide duress systems are no longer optional in addressing workplace violence and ensuring nurse well-being.     This Episode's Guests    Allen Foucht, BSN, RN, CLSSMBB  Allen Foucht is a seasoned healthcare professional and Senior Engagement Consultant at Midmark Consulting. Before moving into consulting, he served as an RN in high-pressure environments, including the emergency room and ICU, where he gained first-hand experience with clinical workflow, patient transport, and frontline safety challenges.  At Midmark, Foucht helps hospitals and health systems implement Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) that go beyond simple asset tracking, designing solutions that support staff duress, improve workflow efficiency, enhance safety, and elevate patient care. His expertise is rooted in both the practical realities that nurses face and the evolving RTLS technologies, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and hybrid sensor platforms.  Foucht is passionate about helping institutions adopt RTLS with full facility coverage—so staff feel protected everywhere in the hospital. He believes in deploying technology in ways that are intuitive for caregivers, driving adoption, and enabling safer environments for everyone.  Connect: LinkedIn   Key Takeaways    Workplace violence in healthcare is rising, making staff safety and duress systems essential.  RTLS has evolved from asset tracking to a critical tool for staff safety, workflow efficiency, and patient care.  Facility-wide RTLS coverage is vital—partial deployments erode trust and leave staff vulnerable.  BLE and hybrid RTLS technologies reduce costs, speed deployment, and improve precision.  Adoption depends on ease of use and addressing privacy concerns by focusing on workflow benefits.  Connect with Lone Star Communications       ☑️ Follow us on YouTube and LinkedIn.   ☑️ Let us know what topics you would like to hear about on CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by emailing us at [email protected].    CarePoints with Kenny Schiff by Lone Star Communications is a series of conversations with his collaborators at Lone Star, customers, partners, and notable folks in the healthcare and educational technology industries. For over 33 years, Lone Star Communications has been focused on transforming healthcare and education through innovation.