Case Story: The new Aalborg University Hospital
Real-Time Logistics Powered by RFID
Supply chain visibility and data-driven workflows in one of the world's most modern hospitals. The new Aalborg University Hospital, opened in March 2026, is one of Denmark's most advanced hospitals. It is also designed to operate as a mission-critical logistics hub for the North Denmark Region, serving more than 600,000 residents.
A hospital designed with automated logistics operation — built with real-time insight
Every day, thousands of assets move through the hospital and across the hospital supply network — beds, sterile trolleys, supply cages, medical equipment, food trolleys, waste containers, blood sample boxes, etc. Behind advanced surgery and clinical care lies a complex supply chain, where timing, visibility, and coordination are essential.
To operate reliably on this scale, real-time data is not optional — it is a prerequisite. The new Aalborg University Hospital, therefore, needed a solution that could provide full supply chain visibility and enable coordinated, data-driven decision-making across departments, functions, and hospitals in the region.
We can track things all the way through the hospital... and they know exactly which pallet to pick up
The need for visibility and operational efficiency in a complex operation
New Aalborg University Hospital manages a massive logistics volume, where every flow directly impacts operational efficiency and security of supply.
Three core challenges drove the need for a Real-Time Location System (RTLS) based solution:
1. One shared source of item and asset location Without real-time visibility, it was difficult to know which assets were in use, in transit, or ready for use — particularly across bed flows, medical, technical units, sterile goods, and regional deliveries.
2. Automation of complex workflows Several processes depended on verbal coordination and manual registrations. This created variability and made it difficult to ensure consistency, scalability, and predictable supply operations.
3. Governance, compliance, and precision in critical processes Hospital operations are governed by strict regulations and internal rules. Sterile processing, surgical instruments, bed washing, textiles, kitchen operations, and laboratory flows all require documented proof of when assets were used, cleaned, sterilized, and made available again.
Manual processes made it difficult to ensure consistent compliance with requirements such as:
- Sterile handling and cleaning documentation
- Time-based washing cycles for beds and textiles
- Traceability of surgical tools used for specific procedures
- Proof of compliance for audits and quality assurance
Reliable, automated traceability was required to ensure both operational stability and regulatory compliance.
"We can track things all the way through the hospital... and they know exactly which
pallet to pick up."
From real-time visibility to automated logistics execution across the hospital
Supply chain visibility with RFID and intelligent automation. Lyngsoe delivered a unified real-time location systems (rtls) platform that enables real-time logistics insights across the entire hospital operation.
Infrastructure for real-time data capture
RFID portals placed in the tunnel system, laundry areas, goods reception, and sterile processes ensure automatic identification. Read zones provide area-based location visibility, and the RFID tags, handheld devices, and hardware from form a robust, end-to-end data foundation for the software solution.
All real-time location systems (RTLS) data is consolidated into a single platform, providing real-time logistics visibility, historical insights, automated workflow triggers, and integrations with AGV systems, laundry operations, and sterile processes.
Automated task execution
When a bed, trolley, or supply cage passes an RFID or read zone or changes status, the system automatically triggers the required next task — without manual intervention.
From tracking assets to running operations
Aalborg University Hospital has established a logistics platform that does more than track assets. It enables insights and actions and automates workflows across the hospital, including tunnels, bed washing, sterile processing, and regional supply flows. The strategic goal was clear: replace manual registrations and coordination with real-time data — and let visibility events drive action.
- Beds – Automatic registration throughout the entire washing and preparation flow
- Sterile trolleys – Precise location data ensures stable operations and correct allocation
- Medical equipment – Real-time status visibility: in use, in storage, or ready for use
- Supply cages – Automatic task generation upon arrival
- Food trolleys – Tracking ensures timely delivery and documented compliance with time requirements
- Waste containers – Registration upon filling automatically triggers transport tasks
- Blood sample boxes – End-to-end tracking from regional medical centers to the laboratory
- Textile, medicine supplies and much more..
- Reduced search time
- More predictable processes
- Consistent and standardized workflows
- Improved asset utilization
- Automated task execution
- Data-driven capacity and resource management
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