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June 11 2003
Wireless and mobile client device technologies are beginning to make their
presence felt in the European hospital environment. Rising awareness of their
potential in enhancing productivity and efficiency standards at the point of
care is likely to promote their expanded deployment. However, niggling data
security issues will have to be addressed before full growth potential can be
achieved.
The protection of confidential information including medical data and patient
records is a key concern for healthcare facilities. Accordingly, vendors will
need to dispel the widespread perception of wireless local area network (WLAN)
not being a secure medium by demonstrating to prospective customers in the
healthcare industry that the data transmitted on their networks will be secure.
“Here, the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
regulations on patient confidentiality will help in a direct way as they set a
benchmark that forces the suppliers of wireless technologies to prove that their
technologies protect patient data. This will have benefits in Europe, as the
major suppliers to the market are the same in both regions. There is also the
possibility that equivalent rules would be adopted in Europe,” notes Frost &
Sullivan Research Analyst, John Gilsenan.
Today, WLANs have moved into the mainstream and are successfully deployed in
several industrial sectors. With hospitals also trialing WLAN technology, the
stage has been set for more widespread implementation. Case studies attesting to
the multiple benefits accrued through WLAN usage will be invaluable in promoting
greater interest in, and support for this technology in Europe’s hospitals.
“Successful case studies will be particularly useful in reducing fears about the
lack of security of wireless LAN technology and the absence of interference with
other wireless equipment. Another benefit, judging by the U.S. example, has been
the measurable savings in time and effort on the part of medical personnel as
well as the automation of many paper-based, often tedious, tasks,” adds Mr
Gilsenan.
Indeed, one of the principal drivers of the market for WLANs in hospitals will
be its potential for greater productivity and mobility. Streamlining internal
communications, eliminating the need to duplicate records, as well as ensuring
accuracy and reliability in documents such as prescriptions have all contributed
to wireless technology’s image as a productivity enhancer.
Mirroring trends in the United States, the IEEE-recommended 802.11b standard is
expected to become the preferred transmission technology in the European
hospital arena. As a globally accepted standard, there is increased probability
of its early adoption by hospitals - a sector that has been conservative in its
uptake of new technologies.
Global acceptance of wireless technologies has been conflated with technological
progress. For instance, anticipated developments in WLAN technology, such as the
move to 5 GHz, is expected to stimulate keen interest in the potential of WLAN
as a tool for enhanced operational efficiencies. Indeed, greater bandwidth
capability with the accompanying facility for greater transmission speeds and
the ability to deal with large file sizes like images such as X-rays is expected
to boost market expansion.
According to Frost & Sullivan, the market for WLAN infrastructure technologies
in hospitals in Europe was estimated to be worth $12.29 million in 2001 and is
projected to soar to $92.27 million by 2007. Here, 5 GHz products that are
expected to become commercially available in 2003 are anticipated to represent
the highest growth sector of the market.
Technological advances in mobile client device capability will fold neatly into
developments in wireless infrastructure technology. An increasing number of
mobile client devices that have in-built WLAN-access capability will make them
‘wireless enabled’ from the outset, thereby circumventing the need and expense
for add-on cards. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) and pen tablets, in
particular, are expected to find widespread use in conjunction with WLAN in a
hospital setting.
There are high expectations surrounding Tablet PCs with pen-based capabilities.
“The device can replicate forms and documents that are commonly used in the
hospital environment and these can be "written on" the tablet PC by medical
personnel. In this way, the device will allow new methods to be used, but with
the least disruption to how people worked previously,” explains Mr Gilsenan.
The wireless implementation services segment is forecast to increase from $9.26
million in 2001 to $56.36 million by 2007. Site survey and security requirements
aimed at optimal deployment of WLAN are likely to impel hospitals to avail of
external service providers. Growth will be further stimulated by the mounting
realization among IT service vendors that healthcare is a potentially lucrative
target for wireless technology.
“Ultimately, wireless technology should be viewed as a complementary piece of a
greater whole—that of seamless information transfer between care area and care
provider. In this capacity, it can greatly enhance the clinical and
administrative workflow in certain critical areas within the hospital setting,”
concludes Mr Gilsenan.
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