Ascom Asks the Experts with Midmark RTLS

How Midmark RTLS and ASCOM Are Transforming Healthcare Through Smart Integrations

Healthcare environments are evolving rapidly, and technology plays a critical role in improving patient care and staff efficiency. In a recent Ascom Ask the Experts session, Kyle Ahern, Product Manager, Ascom Americas, sat down with HT Snowday, Senior Director of Midmark RTLS, to discuss the challenges and innovations shaping real-time locating systems (RTLS) in healthcare.

From Asset Tracking to Clinical Workflow Automation

Traditionally, RTLS has been associated with asset tracking—helping hospitals locate equipment and manage fleets efficiently. It also supported nurse call automation, streamlining how patient calls are managed. Today, however, RTLS is moving beyond these basic functions to become a clinical platform that enhances workflows and safety.

HT Snowday explained:

“What we’re really seeing now is a shift to much more of a clinical platform in healthcare. For example, staff safety is coming on very strong—the ability for staff to press a button on their badge and notify the right people at the right time that they need assistance.”

Integration Challenges and Why a Platform Approach Matters

Healthcare facilities often struggle with fragmented technology stacks, sometimes juggling 50 to 150 different systems. This complexity forces caregivers to act as “human middleware,” manually transferring data between systems. Midmark’s approach focuses on deep integration through its CareFlow™ RTLS platform, reducing manual steps and giving time back to caregivers.

Snowday emphasized:

“You really want to come at it from the position of a fully realized clinical platform—not just a point solution. That means strong collaboration between clinical leadership and IT leadership.”

Hybrid Location Technology: The Future of RTLS

Accuracy matters—especially in clinical workflows like nurse call cancellation. Midmark combines Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for cost-effective, facility-wide coverage with infrared (IR) for pinpoint accuracy in critical areas.

“We’re investing heavily in BLE-based locating technology, but our approach is fundamentally focused on making sure it works within a hybrid environment,” said Snowday. “There are clinically focused applications that require a higher level of reliability—and that’s where IR comes into play.”

Driving Efficiency Through Automation

Automation is at the heart of RTLS innovation. Simple tasks—like automatically canceling a nurse call when a caregiver enters the room—may seem minor, but they save time and reduce stress.

Snowday shared a powerful example:

“We had a New Jersey facility that implemented our staff duress system housewide. They saw a dramatic reduction in lost time—something like 93%—because of the system. That really drives down metrics that put pressure on staff shortages.”

Analytics and AI: Unlocking Insights

Midmark’s CareFlow™RTLS platform doesn’t just automate workflows—it provides actionable analytics. Metrics like time-to-care, patient wait times, and caregiver interaction intervals help leaders optimize processes. Integration with EMRs like Epic adds another layer of insight.

“I really believe the future is in the ability for AI to serve as a partner,” Snowday noted. “It will help you ask questions about performance in your clinical environment and create analytics that drive positive change.”

Overcoming Adoption Barriers

Change often meets resistance, especially when staff fear “Big Brother” tracking. Snowday addressed this head-on:

“There should be nothing punitive about the implementation of any system like this. The way you drive participation is to focus on the benefit to the individual—you’re taking work away from them and giving time back.”

The Road Ahead

Midmark sees the future in hybrid location technology, enterprise-level integration, and AI-powered analytics. By aligning with partners like ASCOM, Midmark is creating solutions that are easier to implement, more cost-effective, and deeply embedded in healthcare workflows.

Kyle Ahern summed it up:

“We’re going through a process of true partnership—building an enterprise platform that translates into real value for healthcare organizations.”

Bottom Line: RTLS is no longer just about tracking assets—it’s about transforming care delivery. Through smart integrations, automation, and analytics, Midmark and Ascom are helping healthcare organizations improve efficiency, safety, and satisfaction for both patients and caregivers.