Like most businesses, hospitals and other medical clinics are discovering that there are many benefits from
For example, there was a recent experiment in offering free WiFi at a major Scottish hospital, with great success. They saw plenty of improvements in their day to day operations, as well as achieving higher satisfaction rates with their patients.
Anecdotally, other clinics are even suggesting that the availability of WiFi - and therefore the range of entertainments it offers patients in recovery - may actually speed the process by helping to keep them occupied while remaining physically inactive. That said, to our knowledge, this has not yet been studied in-depth in any rigorous fashion.
Either way, there are compelling reasons to offer hospital WiFi or WiFi in your clinic office. There are just a couple matters to consider first:
I. What Services Can I Offer?
Realistically, medical facilities don't offer the best environment for WiFi. The range of complex devices, many of which emitting EM radiation of their own, along with the higher density of power and water cabling, make effective WiFi coverage a challenge.
Everything from an MRI machine to the microwaves in your commissary can interfere with WiFi.
So, more than with most businesses, a clinic will need to do some pre-planning before implementing a WiFi network. There's a good chance you'll need to consult with networking specialists to map out your building and find optimal areas of least-interference for placing your access points.
These concerns, in turn, will influence what services your WiFi can offer. Where in your building will it be available, and what sort of speeds can you maintain?
A professional cost-benefit analysis can do a lot to decide the relative level of service you want.
II. Am I HIPAA-Compliant?
HIPAA data-handling regulations are a serious concern for anyone in the health care industry, and must be considered before rolling out a publicly-accessible network.
The short version is: do you have the equipment and expertise necessary to create a public network where users have no realistic way of gaining access to your patient records and other protected data?
Broadly speaking, there are four major concerns here that must be addressed:
Network Security: Your public WiFi must be segregated in some way that keeps it totally separate from your business usage.
Physical Security: All your networking hardware must be kept locked up, preferably behind keycard access, with your access points also kept secure from prying fingers.
Human Security: Your staff will need regular training on data handling, protection, and other personal security issues.
Breach Reporting: Taking on the burden of holding patient data means accepting the responsibility to properly report if that data is ever accessed inappropriately.
HIPAA concerns cannot be taken lightly - a single mistake could be disastrous for a small clinic, given the high
Your clinic's lawyer should also be able to provide more advice on which regulations apply to your specific area of practice.
Consult A Professional Before Implementing Your Health Care WiFi
While there are many businesses who can adopt a "DIY" approach to internal networking, this is a poor idea for health care providers. Hospitals and clinics face far higher hurdles when implementing WiFi than in most other industries.
When done properly, WiFi can be a huge benefit to health businesses of all sizes. It makes it easier for your staff to do their jobs, and makes the experience more pleasant for the people who find themselves in your care.
If you have an experienced networking provider at your back, who understands your regulatory burdens, the result is a great public and patients WiFi system!