Connect

At UVA Health, Health Information Technology (HIT) is leading a forward-looking effort to transform how technology supports patient care, operational efficiency, and the daily experience of care teams. As part of a broader, long-term vision, HIT is introducing new capabilities designed to improve how equipment is managed, how patients move through the health system, and how teams stay connected and supported.

The work will begin at University Medical Center, where initial implementations will help establish a strong foundation for future innovation across UVA Health.

Building the Foundation: Smarter Equipment Management

The first phase focuses on a persistent operational challenge: ensuring critical equipment is available when and where it’s needed.

HIT is deploying real-time location capabilities to track IV infusion pumps, giving teams better visibility into equipment use and location across the hospital. This will allow units to maintain appropriate supply levels, reduce time spent searching for equipment, and ensure that existing resources are fully utilized.

“Our real-time locating systems [RTLS] implementation is a clear example of how HIT is applying practical, high-impact technology to real operational challenges,” says Sonney Sapra, Chief Information Technology Officer. “By giving teams real-time visibility into infusion pumps, we’re improving availability, reducing waste, and strengthening day-to-day operations — while also driving meaningful cost savings today and over the long term.”

“This work helps solve a long-standing challenge — quickly finding critical equipment when it’s needed,” adds Zeb Elliott, Chief Technology Officer. “It improves daily operations now and creates a strong foundation for more advanced clinical and operational capabilities in the future.”

Rather than continuing to invest in additional equipment to compensate for visibility gaps, this approach enables UVA Health to better leverage what it already has — reducing idle assets, preventing loss, and supporting more strategic capital decisions. The initiative is expected to generate significant savings through reduced rentals and improved equipment utilization.

This phase is supported by a partnership with Cognosos, whose location-based technology helps provide the data and insights needed to power these improvements.

Expanding the Vision: Connected Care and Safer Environments

As HIT builds on this foundation, future phases will explore the potential to use technology to further enhance care delivery and operational awareness across UVA Health.

One area of focus is patient flow. HIT is evaluating low-cost wristband technology that could provide insights into how patients move throughout the hospital — from inpatient units to procedural areas — helping teams reduce delays and improve coordination of care.

Team member safety is another key priority. Future capabilities may include badge-based panic buttons, allowing staff to quickly request assistance and improving response times in urgent situations.

HIT is also exploring opportunities to integrate these capabilities with Epic, enabling more seamless documentation and workflow support. For example, automated time-stamping of care interactions could reduce administrative burden while improving accuracy and compliance.

“This initiative reflects our long-term vision for a more connected, intelligent care environment,” says Sapra. “We’re building the infrastructure to better support our teams, enhance safety, and continuously improve the patient experience across UVA Health.”

These projects are currently being evaluated. Should they move forward, we will keep employees informed.

A Strategic, Systemwide Approach

While the work begins at University Medical Center, HIT’s vision extends across the broader health system. By taking a phased and strategic approach, UVA Health is ensuring each step delivers meaningful value while laying the groundwork for future innovation.

Potential future applications include smart room capabilities, environmental and temperature monitoring, and enhanced visibility tools that bring together data from across the care environment to support better decision-making.

At its core, this effort reflects a clear priority: aligning technology with the real needs of patients and care teams. By leading this work, HIT is helping to create a more responsive, efficient, and connected health system — one that is equipped to meet the challenges of today while preparing for the opportunities ahead.