seeing the benefits in patient satisfaction scores and
the added security this type of topology affords the
healthcare provider by not sharing a single network
topology with all current technology systems. The
number of which will only going to continue to grow
with the evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT).
Segmented network rings can start by proving
throughput for both the physical security monitoring
(CCTV Local LAN(s) and also asset management
and tracking LAN(s) and later be split into their own
physical rings with the number of real-time cameras
added to the campus or the number of assets and
coverage area are exceeded. The optical fiber ring,
network connectivity and end devices can all be
managed by “time of day” for added security.
The current wireless hardware being deployed falls
under the IEEE 802.11ac. This transition to 1-Gigabit
wireless started in 2013 and some manufacturers are
reporting there are more than 400 million devices
out there. Now these devices are being augmented
by 802.11 ad for higher data rates, as much as
7-Gigabits within 10-meters of the wireless access
point. Advancements are also being made on the
physical cabling that connects the wireless access
point to the network. Legacy Category 5E and
Category 6 cabling that once tested for 100MHz and
250MHz respectively, are now capable of passing
2.5-Gigabit and even 5.0-Gigabit.
Some providers are taking this community medicine
to new levels and sponsoring evening and night
community activities that include such things as
a “movie or concerts in the park” to share with the
local community. Members will already know about
the present, technology-aided “people” focused
approach to healthcare.
The fact that the world’s demand on technology will
continue to grow and expand is even truer within the
healthcare industry . Networks will control, monitor
and provide statistics for an increasing number of
subjects within healthcare. The healthcare industry
has embraced electronic healthcare records with
patient portals for member/patient’s to take a
proactive role in their treatments. Healthcare
organizations have taken the patient experience
many steps further by listening to their patients
and their patient’s families and focusing on how to
transform what were once stressful and frightful
encounters into ones that leave the patient informed,
engaged, and made to feel important in today’s
healthcare organizations.
Today, technology is also moving in a direction
where cellular and Wi-Fi are being combined for
many of the same reasons that Wi-Fi has gained
such universal acceptance, “it’s easy to use!” This
next step has hospital technology and administrative
leaders considering what is being referred to as
DAS, Small Cell, and Wi-Fi combined services. Will
technology absorb one or both of the others? We’ll
surely find out what new technology will emerge,
maybe during the next time we go to our doctor’s
office.
Data speed and connection reliability will not be
enough for healthcare providers to maintain and
grow their current member/patient base. Providers
will be have to think of new ways to expand their
presence into the communities in which they are
located. With technology tools becoming more
reliable, the flexibility of the ever scalable network will
increase and networks will constantly have the ability
to increase bandwidth.
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