In this episode we’re joined by Todd Frantz (AdventHealth), Ali Youssef (Henry Ford Health), and Paul Zieske (Why Where Matters) to explore how next-gen real-time location systems are reshaping care delivery.

Together, we dive into the evolution from dots-on-a-map asset tracking to intelligent platforms that drive staff safety, streamline workflows, and generate high-fidelity data for AI.

From ED duress alerts to ambient analytics and digital wayfinding, this conversation is a roadmap for health leaders rethinking how hospitals move, sense, and respond in real time.

Whether you’re planning a new facility or optimizing frontline operations, this episode will change how you think about RTLS—and why it belongs at the center of your infrastructure strategy.

Key Takeaways

• RTLS 2.0 goes beyond asset tracking—it integrates workflow, staffing, and safety data for real-time decision-making.
• Hospitals lose thousands of staff hours each year searching for equipment, impacting patient care and satisfaction.
• Successful RTLS adoption requires cultural alignment, transparency, and trust—not just technology deployment.
• Staff duress alerts and par level management are delivering fast wins and improving frontline safety.
• Enterprise-wide RTLS platforms unlock more value than siloed deployments—especially when integrated with EHRs and facility systems.
• High-fidelity location data is foundational for AI-driven insights, workflow automation, and digital twins.
• The ROI of RTLS includes reduced burnout, improved patient flow, equipment utilization, and faster care team coordination.
• Integration remains a challenge—vendors must support open standards and shared APIs to break down data silos.
• RTLS should be treated like core infrastructure—designed into new buildings, not bolted on after.
• Emerging tech like computer vision will extend RTLS into human activity recognition, situational awareness, and predictive care.

Episode Highlights

00:00 | Why RTLS Adoption Starts with Trust, Not Tech 01:53 | Welcome to Beyond the Blueprint 02:30 | From Dots on a Map to Real-Time Intelligence 03:09 | Meet the Panel: AdventHealth, Henry Ford, and Why Where Matters 04:00 | Is RTLS Now Core Infrastructure? 05:09 | The Hidden Costs of Outdated RTLS Platforms 06:02 | Workflow Integration and the Role of Location Data in AI 07:17 | Where Hospitals Miss Safety & Workflow Red Flags 08:14 | Real-Time Context and Robotics Integration 09:00 | The Chessboard Effect: Duress Alerts as a Point of Entry 10:00 | Are Enterprise Standards Emerging Across IDNs? 11:16 | Choosing the Right Tool for the Right Workflow 12:00 | Intelligent Lighting and Digital Front Doors 13:00 | Open Epic and the Rise of Indoor Wayfinding 14:00 | Integrating RTLS into Daily Workflow: It’s Cultural 15:00 | When RTLS Fails the First Time—and Why That’s Normal 16:15 | The Location Team: A Hidden Implementation Advantage 17:15 | “Blame the Process, Not the People” 18:21 | Safety Stats and Clinician Buy-In for Duress Alerts 19:49 | From Staff to Patient Expectations: The Culture Shift 20:00 | Why RTLS Data Integration Is Still So Hard 21:15 | Strategic Vendor Relationships > APIs Alone 22:45 | Will Epic Open Up? A Look at Market Influence 24:00 | How AI Wrappers Could Solve Interop Gaps 25:15 | The AAA Model: Analytics, Automation, and AI 26:00 | Why You Should Never Throw Away RTLS Data 27:15 | Use Cases for Retrospective AI + Workflow Analysis 28:16 | AI Isn’t the Goal—It’s a Tool in Your Automation Stack 29:11 | What’s Next? Computer Vision & Human Activity Recognition 30:03 | From ORs to Restrooms: Situational Awareness at Scale 31:35 | The Future of RTLS: Friction Reduction + Design Insight 33:57 | Customer Experience in Outpatient and Waiting Areas 34:55 | Final Takeaways: Safety, Trust, and Strategic Deployment

Guests: Todd Frantz, Ali Youssef and Paul Zieske Host: Gregg Malkary – Spyglass Consulting Group Cohost: Keith Washington – Companions in Courage Foundation Sponsored by: Simplifi Medical Audio/Video: Tim Jones – Health Nuts Media Marketing: Josh Troop – Troop-Creative Learn More at: www.beyond-blueprint.com