"With ARM, the wireless coverage is constantly measured to identify cases of interference and intermittencies due to performance bottlenecks or outages," says Khurana. In the event of a disruption, Aruba's wireless LANs self-calibrate at each access point, adjusting coverage, rate-limit, "air-time hogging sources," channel of operation, and if necessary, can shift to another frequency altogether. IT administrators are also notified when further troubleshooting is required.

There is no umbrella certification, but there are other requirements involved in hospital wireless LANs. All wireless networks must comply with HIPAA security and privacy regulations, including those coming out of the health IT provisions of the ARRA.


"Akin to PCI compliance requirements that apply to protect financial cardholder data, HIPAA outlines specific security requirements to ensure health records are protected. Improperly secured wireless networks are an easy way for hackers to gain access to sensitive data," says Khurana.

In addition, Aruba Networks assures that its products can be used in association with other vendors' products, as defined by the Wi-Fi alliance, an international nonprofit organization that certifies wireless LAN products for interoperability.

Helping EHR take flight

"The most important use-case of Aruba's secure, mobile connectivity is to enable meaningful-use of EHR as a part of the ARRA incentives," says Khurana.

Physicians, nurses and other health care personnel in medical centers across the country will soon be looking to tap into the promise of the electronic health record, which is designed to provide comprehensive medical information at the point of care. Once far-reaching interoperability has been established, clinicians can access EHRs within the wireless LAN and use that patient information seamlessly with computed order entry, ePrescribing and other "meaningful use" applications and devices.

Without the feared performance-drain and intermittency issues of the old Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.11n networks are allowing hospitals to yank out the wire tether and tap into these and other state-of-the-art medical technologies, which have the potential to improve health care not only on a case-by-case basis, but in the overall cycle of care.




Back to HCB News

More Voices