The healthcare and social assistance industry is a diverse sector that encompasses a wide range of organizations and activities, including hospitals, nursing homes, home healthcare services, community care facilities, and social assistance services. It is responsible for providing health care services and social support to individuals and communities in need. GAO's BLE beacons and gateways have a variety of potential applications in this industry:

• Asset tracking: GAO BLE beacons can be used to track medical equipment, such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, and IV pumps, within a healthcare facility. This can help hospital staff locate equipment more quickly and efficiently, leading to improved patient care and reduced costs.
• Patient tracking: Our BLE beacons can be attached to patient wristbands to track their location within a healthcare facility. This can be especially useful for patients with cognitive impairments, such as dementia, who may be at risk of wandering.
• Staff tracking: Our BLE beacons can be used to track the location of healthcare staff within a facility, which can help with resource allocation and communication. For example, if a nurse is needed in a particular room, their location can be quickly identified and they can be notified through a mobile device.
• Hand hygiene monitoring: Our BLE beacons can be used to monitor hand hygiene compliance among healthcare staff such as nurses, caregivers, infection control specialists, and pharmacy technicians. The beacons can be placed at hand sanitizer dispensers or soap dispensers, and when a staff member uses the dispenser, the beacon will record the event.
• Environmental Monitoring: Our BLE beacons and gateways can be used to monitor environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. GAO’s BLE beacons can be used to monitor the temperature of medical refrigerators and freezers, ensuring that medications and vaccines are stored at the proper temperature.
• Indoor Navigation and Wayfinding: GAO’s BLE beacons can be installed throughout the facility, and patients, visitors, and staff can use their smartphones to navigate to their desired destination. A smartphone app can provide turn-by-turn directions to specific locations within the healthcare facility, such as a patient's room or a medical equipment storage area. This can help healthcare professionals navigate large, complex facilities more efficiently and reduce the risk of errors or delays.