HID Targets Infection Prevention Market with Intelligent Observation Buyout

SINGAPORE, August 19, 2025 – HID, the global leader in trusted identity solutions, has acquired Intelligent Observation, a US-based platform provider for hand hygiene compliance, in a move designed to strengthen its Real Time Location Systems (RTLS) portfolio and expand its presence in the healthcare sector.

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Miami, Intelligent Observation provides hospitals and healthcare facilities with tools to improve hand hygiene practices—seen as critical in preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Its patented technology uses wearable near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) devices that detect when staff are near sanitation stations and record compliance in real time.

Enhancing Infection Prevention

The platform integrates hardware sensors with a SaaS dashboard, offering administrators detailed reporting across multiple levels—from facility-wide trends to room-specific compliance, including isolation wards. Data collected includes handwashing duration and frequency, with the ability to generate individual hygiene scorecards for staff, enabling self-monitoring and targeted training.

“Patients enter the hospital looking to get better, not to catch an infection,” said Björn Lidefelt, EVP and Head of HID. “Welcoming Intelligent Observation into our RTLS portfolio enables healthcare providers to prevent hospital acquired infections and create a safer patient experience.”

Expanding HID’s RTLS Capabilities

The acquisition will see Intelligent Observation’s platform integrated into HID’s RTLS Business Unit within its Identification Technologies division. By leveraging HID’s global sales network and operational support, the company aims to accelerate deployment of the technology across healthcare facilities worldwide.

Marc Bielmann, SVP and Head of Identification Technologies at HID, added: “We are committed to providing a robust, best-in-class RTLS experience to help healthcare facilities meet their growing needs. Adding Intelligent Observation is yet another step in our journey to enabling safe and efficient workplaces using real-time location data.”

Continued Mission Under HID

For Intelligent Observation, the acquisition marks a significant step in scaling its impact. CEO Seth Freedman noted: “We are dedicated to reducing HAIs through innovative and intuitive technologies. Now, as part of HID, we are excited to continue this mission and help even more healthcare professionals where it matters most.”

The acquisition underscores HID’s strategy of expanding beyond identity and access management into specialised healthcare technologies, aligning with a broader industry focus on patient safety, infection prevention, and operational efficiency.