Technology has been revolutionizing every sector with various convenient tools. In addition to that, it has also provided many benefits. Numerous industries have benefited from several aspects of technology. The healthcare industry is one those.
Mobility is one of the primary requirements in healthcare nowadays. This is where the wireless technology becomes relevant. Various other demands of the healthcare industry place unique importance on the wireless technology. Healthcare has undergone some major transformations over the years.
The demand for wireless technology has exploded over the years. Nowadays, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals use various WiFi-enabled devices including patient monitoring systems, smartphones etc.
Let’s take a look at the impact of the wireless technology in the healthcare industry.
Improved Accessibility
Healthcare WiFi enables doctors and nurses to gain access to the patients’ medical records from anywhere in the building. A patient’s medical data can be stored in the electronic devices. This can provide doctors complete access to the patient’s blood type, medical problems, diagnosis, drugs prescribed and so on. Such constant access to patient records and real-time information enables doctors to make better and well-informed decisions about patient care.
Therefore, the wireless technology provides complete patient information and decreases the likelihood of ordering repeated tests.
Providing Vital Alerts About the Patients
The wireless technology can be used to alert the doctors as well as the nurses of any critical change in the patient’s health. It can also provide visual as well as audible alarms of any potential issues with the patients. Additionally, nurses can also monitor the patient’s health from various corners of the building without having to go to the patient’s room all the time.
All the devices on the wireless technology can be controlled and monitored from a central network.
WiFi as an Amenity
Everyone prefers to stay connected on-the-go. Regardless of whether it is about checking important emails, providing support to customers, attending meetings, finding out the latest trends or playing an online game, the ability to access the Internet has turned out to be crucial.
Children can get bored or cranky while recuperating in the hospital. However, toys are usually not allowed in the hospitals since these may cause infections. For children, providing free WiFi inside the hospital can be the next best thing to toys. It can also benefit other patients in the hospital by keeping them engaged when they are recuperating.
Apart from that, family members of the patients in the waiting area can also benefit from the wireless technology by logging in to check any updates related to work, contacting other family members and so on. With the increased usage of mobile devices, providing free WiFi to patients and visitors will help in improving their experience.
Improved Quality of Care
The wireless technology addresses a range of managerial, educational as well as patient challenges in the hospitals. WiFi enhances collaboration by connecting the doctors, nurses, patients, staff and others on a network.
For example, video conferencing is one of the best ways to make the most of hospital WiFi. Doctors can collaborate with other specialists across the world to administer the right care to patients. This eliminates the need to transfer the patients. It also improves the delivery of appropriate treatment to patients significantly.
Collecting and Utilizing Data
Big data has turned out to be a buzzword owing to its various benefits. One of the most important benefits of collecting data is predictive analysis. A patient’s information including diagnosis, medicines taken, type of treatment administered, the results of the pathological tests and so on can be stored in the hospital’s database. This information can be utilized to provide the best treatment to the patient in case s/he is diagnosed again.
Additionally, this data can also be used to power the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT). It can be utilized to promote improved methods of identification of diseases among patients by leveraging various wearable, sensory or implantable devices.
According to Zeus Keravala, the principal analyst at a research company, “Wi-Fi is the foundation for digital transformation in the healthcare industry.”
The impact of WiFi in hospitals is quite major owing to its various benefits. Appropriate implementation of wireless technology can enable successful widespread adoption in hospitals.
Steven Scheck is the Principal of Inspire WiFi, the nationwide leader of multifamily wifi and healthcare wifi. When he isn't bringing Wi-Fi to the masses, he enjoys spending time and traveling with his wife and 4 kids and occasionally gets in a round of golf. He is also very involved in philanthropic causes in Miami and nationally.
