Healthcare Real-Time Location System (RTLS) capabilities are expanded through Intelligent Observation's acquisition by HID.

Healthcare Real-Time Location System (RTLS) capabilities are expanded through Intelligent Observation's acquisition by HID.

HID, a leading global provider of trusted identity solutions, has announced the acquisition of Intelligent Observation, a Miami-based company specialising in hand hygiene compliance technology. This strategic move significantly boosts HID’s healthcare real-time location system (RTLS) portfolio, aiming to reduce hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and enhance patient safety.

Improved Hand Hygiene Compliance Monitoring

Intelligent Observation’s platform employs wearable near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) technology and hardware that detects when healthcare workers approach hand sanitation areas. The system records whether hand hygiene protocols are followed accurately, providing centimeter-level location accuracy and precise, near real-time compliance tracking at granular levels, including room-specific data for isolation rooms.

Data-Driven Infection Prevention

The acquired technology's cloud-based SaaS dashboard aggregates compliance data, offering reports that healthcare administrators can utilise to monitor hygiene practices across multiple facilities. This enhances operational efficiency and infection control strategies.

Strategic Portfolio Growth for HID

The acquisition integrates Intelligent Observation’s platform into HID’s RTLS Business Unit, allowing HID to leverage its global sales and operational network to accelerate technology deployment worldwide. This reinforces HID’s broader strategy to expand beyond identity and access management into healthcare-specific RTLS solutions focused on patient safety and reducing HAIs.

Enhanced Healthcare Vertical Relevance

With Intelligent Observation, HID can provide a more comprehensive RTLS offering—combining asset tracking, personnel location, and now critical hand hygiene compliance—enabling healthcare facilities to improve safety outcomes and operational workflows.

In a statement, Seth Freedman, CEO of Intelligent Observation, expressed his excitement about joining HID, stating that it will help the company further its mission to reduce hospital-acquired infections through innovative technology. He also mentioned that the acquisition supports HID’s goal of delivering best-in-class RTLS solutions for safer, more efficient healthcare environments.

Founded in 2019, Intelligent Observation has been focused on reducing hospital-acquired infections in healthcare facilities. The acquisition marks a significant step forward in HID’s commitment to delivering advanced solutions that protect patients, staff, and visitors in healthcare settings.

[1] HID Global Acquires Intelligent Observation to Enhance Healthcare Real-Time Location System Portfolio. (2022, March 2). HID Global. https://www.hidglobal.com/news/press-releases/hid-global-acquires-intelligent-observation-to-enhance-healthcare-real-time-location-system-portfolio

[2] HID Global Acquires Intelligent Observation to Enhance Healthcare Real-Time Location System Portfolio. (2022, March 2). Security Today. https://www.securitytoday.com/news/industry/hid-global-acquires-intelligent-observation-to-enhance-healthcare-real-time-location-system-portfolio/

[3] HID Global Acquires Intelligent Observation to Enhance Healthcare Real-Time Location System Portfolio. (2022, March 2). Security Info Watch. https://www.securityinfowatch.com/access-control/hid-global-acquires-intelligent-observation-to-enhance-healthcare-real-time-location-system-portfolio/

[4] HID Global Acquires Intelligent Observation to Enhance Healthcare Real-Time Location System Portfolio. (2022, March 2). Security Systems News. https://www.securitysystemsnews.com/access-control/hid-global-acquires-intelligent-observation-to-enhance-healthcare-real-time-location-system-portfolio

[5] HID Global Acquires Intelligent Observation to Enhance Healthcare Real-Time Location System Portfolio. (2022, March 2). Security Magazine. https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/98149-hid-global-acquires-intelligent-observation-to-enhance-healthcare-real-time-location-system-portfolio

1. The acquisition of Intelligent Observation will allow HID to expand beyond identity and access management into healthcare-specific RTLS solutions, focusing on patient safety and reducing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).
2. With the introduction of Intelligent Observation's platform, HID's RTLS portfolio now includes hand hygiene compliance monitoring, enhancing healthcare facilities' ability to improve safety outcomes and operational workflows through data-driven infection prevention strategies.
3. The integration of Intelligent Observation's technology into HID's business unit offers a more comprehensive RTLS solution, encompassing not only asset tracking and personnel location but also real-time hand hygiene compliance, improving mental health and overall health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and therapies-and-treatments in healthcare environments.

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