Modern hospital – use of WLAN
A modern hospital cannot exist without the smooth operation of WLAN. It is in hospitals and medical care facilities that you can see how important the functioning of such solutions is. We are talking about an environment in which there is no room for poor quality or mistakes – including technological ones.
The maturity and perfect adaptation of this technology is evidenced by the efficient use of Wi-Fi connectivity by medical devices that monitor basic vital parameters. Additionally, the network is used by the patient information system and medical telephones. Even short-term interruptions in the operation of the Wi-Fi network can put the health and even life of patients at risk.
In this case, the key parameter is the availability and location of individual access points. Everything must be perfectly planned – especially in terms of infrastructure. The point is that in the event of a failure of one element, neighboring access points automatically take over its functions, filling the resulting gap. This is where special mechanisms come into play, whose task is to optimize the operation of end systems. Thanks to them, the continuity of communication can be maintained.
Application of wireless networks in modern hospitals:
Increasingly, a modern hospital or medical facility uses special systems to manage digital medical data of patients. And it doesn’t end there, as bandwidth requirements will increase in the future. This will involve the integration of systems for digital image processing and high-quality image transmission over a wireless network.
Another issue related to the WLAN network in the medical environment is also the one directly related to the patients themselves. It is all about providing them with access to the Internet. Each hospital stay is a separation from loved ones – often with those who live far from the place of hospitalization. This solution allows the patient to maintain communication with the outside world. Indirectly, it can even affect the patient’s well-being and speed up the recovery process. This is best seen in children’s hospitals.
What should be put above the patient’s comfort, however, is his safety. This is what you should take care of first. Therefore, robust authentication methods, a clear separation at the logical level, as well as bandwidth control are necessary. It is these elements that must be taken into account when considering the security strategy for a medical facility.