Wireless devices, particularly mobile phones, have gone from being a no-no in hospitals to the enabler for the connected hospital.
The vision of the ‘connected’ hospital only comes into fruition if the technology behind it is reliable and effective. That starts with wireless
Patients, visitors, doctors, nurses, consultants and security staff rely on their mobile devices more than ever. As such, wireless has become a basic utility like water, gas and electricity - something that should always be available.
We have seen many new large hospitals open in the last few years with many more in the advanced stages of planning. It is important that the trusts and developers of hospitals take into account the wireless technology needs of the staff and visitors to avoid creating a technology ‘not spot’ where mobile coverage, particularly, is simply not available in large areas of the building.
Consideration of mobile coverage may not be top priority when you’re under pressure to design patient and budget-friendly buildings, but that is precisely the time when you should consider the most cost-effective solutions.
Too many times we have seen businesses and building owners partnering with a vendor who has a vested interest in one type of technology
Thick glass and insulation help to maintain a stable temperature, but have a detrimental effect on the ability of mobile signals - especially 3G and 4G, which have lower propagation than 2G - to penetrate the building from existing masts in the area. It is, therefore, likely that you’ll need some form of in-building coverage solution, and it is far more cost effective and far less disruptive to hospital operations if you design and incorporate the appropriate solution in the hospital build.
4G is becoming more important
4G enables doctors and nurses to connect to vital patient information or track remote equipment quickly in the hospital. For patients, 4G provides a way to keep in touch with family, friends and colleagues via social media and also access the internet for entertainment and business purposes. For staff, 4G enables personnel to communicate via the same infrastructure that patients’ and visitors’ mobile phones rely on.
The emergency services TETRA system is also up for renewal over the next few years and the most-likely technology that will be used to replace this service will be 4G, so it will be even more important that there is a mobile service inside hospitals. While this change is still some way off, providing dedicated in-building coverage ensures that emergency personnel can communicate effectively.
How to get the best out of wireless
We recently launched a free report, Wireless & Commercial Property: Why should property developers care? , which distils the knowledge of our experts into an easily-digestible format and covers why wireless matters, what the options are and how to construct a business case that gives ROI.
So what can those in the industry do to ensure that hospitals get the best wireless connectivity possible?
1. Future proof with fibre
As the telecoms industry is already talking about 5G, you may have concerns that the tech you implement will become outdated. The speed of tech improvement highlights the importance of having a sensible wireless strategy across your whole portfolio and selecting the right connectivity options.
Wireless devices, particularly mobile phones, have gone from being a no-no in hospitals to the enabler for the connected hospital
But, rather than rolling out all infrastructure at once, which is risky, divide the network into two parts - the transmitter equipment and the fibre connecting them together. Hospitals need a decent wired connection because of the huge amount of data sent between departments and staff. So, focus on efficiently rolling out high-quality fibre throughout the building in a way that provides comprehensive coverage across the site — making wireless deployments easier. By rolling out high-quality fibre, you will have little need to replace it in the near future. Upgrades will ultimately be quicker, cheaper and minimally disruptive. You can then add the transmitter equipment when you need it.
2. Consider every detail
In ideal cases, hospital developers will consider wireless before construction begins. But, as most hospitals are old, improving connectivity retrospectively can be overwhelming. Any rollout must consider:
- What technologies doctors, nurses, patients and visitors are using
- The areas of the hospital that need the technologies
- How effectively wireless technology can penetrate walls of different thicknesses and materials
- How a hospital’s layout can create difficult coverage areas
- The type of network infrastructure most suitable for use
- Who invests in, owns and maintains the equipment
- How to engage successfully with third parties, such as mobile operators
- Selecting the right vendors and contractors for deployment
- Ensuring the service you receive meets your requirements
3. Seek expert advice
Get advice from independent wireless specialists. They will work with you to establish your requirements, what the realistic options are, and a plan of action for a solution that includes the business case for ROI. Too many times we have seen businesses and building owners partnering with a vendor who has a vested interest in one type of technology. As a result the service doesn’t always meet the requirements.
The connected hospital backbone
Rather than viewing wireless as a challenge, view it as an opportunity. The vision of the ‘connected’ hospital only comes into fruition if the technology behind it is reliable and effective. That starts with wireless - the connected hospital’s backbone.
