The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent years challenged hospitals to navigate a dramatically different staffing and patient care landscape. As a result, hospitals worldwide are implementing digital-first environments.
Hospital CIOs are reimagining patient care and operations with 5G networks designed to support countless connected healthcare devices. From telehealth trends to cybersecurity, hospital IT teams are making the decision to create a fully connected hospital campus with 5G. But one question often plagues even the savviest of teams—where do we start?
The truth is healthcare systems can no longer rely on traditional wired and Wi-Fi solutions to meet their multifaceted needs. With limited security, lack of mobility and maxed-out capacity, this older infrastructure doesn’t cut it. New technologies such as Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices, advanced software, patient mobile phone usage and digital lab equipment require next-generation 5G connectivity to deliver efficient, high-quality care.
Digital-first hospital of the future: 5 key learnings
To address frequently asked questions about hospital connectivity and the mystery around 5G networks, the team of experts at Boingo Wireless compiled research and insights in a dedicated eBook for healthcare CIOs. While I encourage you to explore the full eBook, here’s a peek at five key learnings.
- Digital health is here to stay: What 3G and 4G did for consumers by putting the internet in their pockets, 5G is doing for healthcare by connecting billions of things. 5G’s fast speeds, flexibility and security open new opportunities for hospital and medical center operations. Digitizing operations is setting hospitals up for success by powering essential life-saving technologies, improving patient care and the staff experience, maximizing efficiency and reducing downtime.
- Private 5G provides security and control: More devices and more mobile data demands require next-generation 5G connectivity to deliver quality care and improve efficiencies. Private networks have emerged as the ideal technology backbone to support a secure digital ecosystem. Private 5G networks can be custom-built for hospitals with dedicated coverage and bandwidth that is independent of a public network—keeping your critical devices safe.
- Cybersecurity threats require a proactive approach: There are startling statistics around healthcare data breaches and the exposure of patient records. Ready your organization. Patient data must be protected and should only be transferred over secure networks. From HIPAA compliance to preventing a breach, digital hospital operations require layers of security, rigorous vulnerability assessments and 24/7 monitoring. A new level of network security is needed and is achievable with private 5G.
- Data is a valuable asset: Does the respiratory ventilator need maintenance? Is the MRI scanner due for an update? Examine the data. Everyone wants to know how they can better understand and responsibly make use of their data. The solution lies in owning your own operational data. Data provides invaluable information for business decision-making, increases efficiencies, and opens the door to implementing predictive and machine-learning network tools for intelligent, more secure and more automated infrastructure.
- Leave it to the experts: With resource-strapped IT teams and the growing complexity of network operations, it’s time to work smarter, not harder. Network-as-a-service (NaaS) options provide a turnkey, cost-effective connectivity solution. A NaaS model means any wireless technology—cellular distributed antenna systems (DAS), small cells, Wi-Fi, private networks—can be fully managed, 24/7 by an experienced network service provider. Outsourcing wireless networks to the experts allows you to focus on what you do best—creating a top-rated hospital.
No matter the hospital, creating a digital-first campus begins with your network infrastructure. For a crash course on new 5G technologies and how they save time, money and resources, download the Boingo Wireless healthcare eBook HERE.
About the author
Kate Wickham is managing director of business development at Boingo Wireless, where she oversees 5G wireless solutions for hospitals and medical campuses. Prior, she held positions within the healthcare divisions of Trane, LG Electronics, Philips Lighting, and Allegion and served as director of operations for the American Society of Healthcare Engineering.
About the sponsor
Boingo Wireless is a leader in world-class connectivity for healthcare systems—simplifying complex wireless challenges to connect people, business and things. Boingo designs, builds and manages converged, neutral host public and private networks to securely power hospitals and their digital transformation demands. Learn more at boingo.com/healthcare.