Wireless Solutions. Health Care

Transcription

1 Wireless Solutions In Health Care Page 1 of 11

2 The Unique Challenges of Health Care Networks Medical applications are among the most demanding users of network capacity, real-time performance, mission-critical reliability, and data security. Fiber optic cabling is the primary technology of choice to fulfill these requirements; however, it is often difficult or costly to connect fiber to buildings across city streets or beyond the main campus. Increasingly, hospitals and medical centers are accelerating the pace of accessing and storing patient s records via EMRs (electronic medical records), including lab results, pharmaceutical data and PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems). The use of tablet computers to simplify record updates is growing. In March of 2011, bulletinhealthcare.com reported a 45% increase in health care professionals access to information by smartphone or ipad. Considering that data centers storing these records are often not connected to the main hospital, or medical office building, all this adds up to an explosion of information straining existing network infrastructure. The Value Proposition of Wireless The number of doctors, nurses, and health care professionals that have a laptop, smartphone, or Internet-ready tablet is growing. According to Kalorama Information's Worldwide Market for Mobile Medical Apps, in 2010, more than 50% of practicing physicians in the U.S. were using smartphones and PDAs on a regular basis for everyday treatment activity. This high rate of use is adding extra burden on an already overloaded infrastructure. Due to these pressures, hospitals and clinics are increasingly looking to IT departments to improve productivity and control costs. These organizations are recognizing the many advantages of using high-capacity wireless links to replace fiber or aging copper-based leased lines, both for cost and network performance. Gigabit Ethernet wireless links provide a rapid return on investment, relative to the cost of leasing high-speed circuits. As illustrated in the chart below, a gigabit Ethernet wireless link provides fiber-like speeds and latency for a one-time expenditure of about one-fourth the annual cost of leasing an equivalent fiber based service. Wireless gigabit Ethernet links also eliminate the initial installation costs and long lead times associated with deploying new fiber services. Fiber vs. Gigabit Ethernet Breakeven Analysis Page 2 of 11

3 What s the hottest trend in medical mobile technology? Mobile Apps! The vast majority of health care professionals are already using smartphones. It s projected that by next year (2012), 82% of all physicians will be using smartphones. 1 Among the portable wireless devices, usage of the tablet computer is growing faster than any other electronic device ever introduced. 2 Like the rest of the population, clinicians are quick adapters of tablet computers. Tablet computers are ideally suited for the medical field as they are portable, easy to input and retrieve information, and can be kept clean. Lab coats are now made with ipad - sized pockets! 3 The quick adaption rate and proliferation of mobile devices in the medical field has led to an explosion in interest in mobile medical application. One of the reasons for the quick adaptation rate of tablet-computing devices in the medical field is medical applications. There are now over 6,000 medical apps that can be classified as health-related. 4 However, of these, only 30% of the applications are directed specifically at clinicians. 5 Medical applications are sure to grow and become even more powerful. The X-Prize foundation, which famously sponsored the manned outer-space competition, is gearing up for a medical application competition. 6 They will award $10 million to the creators of a mobile application that will be able to diagnose patients better than or equal to a panel of board-certified physicians would Ibid Page 3 of 11

4 Image Transmission Standards In medical facilities and campuses across the country, various types of high-bandwidth data, including MRIs, X-Rays, and CAT scan images, are transmitted from one location to another. The transmission of these files is associated with several transmission standards. The following are some of the most common of these open standards: PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems) were developed to quickly retrieve electronic images and patient medical records in a timely and cost-efficient manner. The usual format in which the PACS images are sent is DICOM. DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) is a proprietary standard for handling, storing, printing, and transmitting medical images. DICOM uses TCP/IP to communicate between systems. With DICOM, disparate hardware such as printers, workstations, and scanners can communicate using a PACS system. Many newer medical devices now come with a DICOM conformance statement. emix (Electronic Medical Information Exchange) is a cloud computing-based technology for secure sharing of medical imaging studies and reports between healthcare facilities and physicians, which may be spread out. Since the emix data resides in a cloud, this allows systems and formats that are not related to talk with each other. Users can log on to the data remotely to view this. PHR (Personal Health Record) system is an online summary of an individual s medical history. EHR (Electronic Health Record), EMR (Electronic Medical Record), and EPR (Electronic Patient Record) are evolving concepts for the effective display of patient data, which can be aggregated for statistical analysis or used efficiently across multiple sites and mediums for the diagnosis and tracking of an individual s medical record. Page 4 of 11

5 Wireless HIPPA Compliance Requirements Regardless of the image standard used for storing medical records and images, or the mode of transmission for these records and images, security is a critical component. The security of medical records, including storage and transmission of information is regulated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA-compliant networks must include security mechanisms to guard against unauthorized access to data transmitted over a communications network. Wireless transmission is a very secure way to send data. Similar to that of fiber-optic cable connections, wireless link security is based on securing the physical access to the end points of the link, where the wireless signal is converted between wireless and fiber optic or copper media. While these products broadcast data wirelessly over the air, the millimeter-wave energy is channeled in tightly formed beams between the end-points and is virtually un-interceptable. The products millimeter-wave beamwidths range between just 0.5 and 1.4 degrees and provide over-the-air physical security that is typically superior even to that of fiber-optic cables, due to the extreme difficulty involved in intercepting the signals. Wireless links are not subject to signal interception risks that are present using products operating in the lower frequencies, which typically require extra security measures (such as encryption) to prevent over-the-air interception. Despite the extreme difficulty of intercepting a radio transmission, attempts to do so will result in link outages, in the same manner that occurs when a fiber optic cable is cut. In this case, network equipment (switches or routers) connected to the radio end-points can detect the link outage and can report alarms and maintain event logs that comply with HIPAA requirements. Wireless links only provide direct access to the transmitted data through the products physical Ethernet network ports, which are fiber and/or copper. The network management interfaces on these products do not provide access to the transmitted data streams and are furthermore protected by user password access controls. Page 5 of 11

6 The Wireless Role Regardless of how the network is accessed or how bandwidth is consumed, health care campuses today are large consumers of network bandwidth. With the growing use of EMR, these networks must support a large number of critical services and applications. The increased number of wireless devices and the applications on which they run are adding considerably to network congestion. Fast and reliable network access across health care campuses, increased storage demands for research computing, and connections between remote facilities and network-based image databases have all become essential to the successful workings of the network on campus. Health care IT organizations must accommodate these rapidly expanding demands for high bandwidth with a robust backhaul infrastructure in a cost-effective manner. IT managers are challenged to ensure that their campus networks keep up with bandwidth demands. To accomplish this, wireless solutions are increasingly being deployed. Here are some of the benefits of using wireless as an effective backhaul solution: Unlike those costs incurred with leased fiber, there are no recurring leased line costs associated with wireless links. The considerable savings will quickly pay for the system. Wireless links can be easily deployed and can usually be accomplished in a matter of days. The cost and time to install a wireless link is significantly less than those of trenching and laying fiber. These systems are future-proofed, as they can be upgraded to a full gigabit of capacity using a software key, thus removing the need (and expense) for replacement equipment and the personnel to make unnecessary tower climbs. This functionality allows for better control over both CAPEX and OPEX, making it an efficient and effective tool for managing backhaul needs. Wireless offers fully scalable, high capacity bandwidth, including full-rate, full-duplex gigabit Ethernet capacity with reliable, carrier-class % availability. Narrow wireless beamwidths provide physical data security, which is superior to inter-building fiber cabling. The ability to isolate management traffic flow prevents access to application data through management interfaces. Advanced security options, such as password protection and 256-bit AES encryption, secure management interfaces. Wireless offers highly available link deployments for distances up to 10 miles (16 km). Redundancy is available for added availability. In protected configurations, each side has an active and standby system. These systems are interconnected to share status information with no more than 50 ms of traffic disruption. Wireless links are sophisticated network devices that provide physical and network layer configuration, monitoring, and alarm capabilities, including full Ethernet frame capacity and error performance visibility. Management data and link configuration are fully accessible through SNMP and secure HTTP/HTTPS web interfaces, and management interfaces can be flexibly configured for in-band or out-of-band access. SNMP link-outage traps enable alarm functions and event logs throughout network management stations. Page 6 of 11

7 The BridgeWave Approach to Security As discussed in the previous section, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulates the security of storing and transmitting medical records and images. BridgeWave's wireless Ethernet point-to-point links provide Gigabit and Fast Ethernet wireless performance with security superior to that of a fiber-optic cable connection. These links are compliant with Ethernet networking standards and FCC Parts 15 and 101 regulations. Similar to that of fiber-optic cable connections, wireless link security is based on securing the physical access to the end points of the link, where the wireless signal is converted between wireless and fiber optic or copper media. BridgeWave s FlexPort products provide physical layer plus network layer configuration, monitoring, and alarm capabilities, including full Ethernet frame capacity and error performance visibility. Management data and link configuration is fully accessible through SNMP and secure HTTP/HTTPS web interfaces, and management interfaces can be flexibly configured for in-band or out-of-band access. While wireless links are inherently secure at a physical level, BridgeWave wireless links also offer the option of an additional layer of security for application and network management traffic using 256-bit AES encryption. This provides the highest commercially available data security, while maintaining full line-rate network performance. FlexPort also offers flexible access policies, including RADIUS authentication to seamlessly integrate with existing operations access systems. In cases where backup redundancy is required, the FlexPort radio offers monitored hot standby protection for redundancy. In protected configurations, each side has an active and standby system. Only one radio system can be online at any given time. Switching is done between the active and standby systems on each side of the link, independent of the remote side, with protection switches yielding no more than 50 ms of traffic disruption. The picture below summarizes BridgeWave s security proposition: Page 7 of 11

8 Real-World Examples of Gigabit Wireless BridgeWave has wireless systems deployed at notable health care campuses that provide continuous network connectivity for various applications, including secure (HIPAA-compliant) campus connectivity, off-site medical office and lab network access, real-time imaging application connectivity, and redundant fiber overlay and disaster recovery. BridgeWave wireless solutions offer full gigabit Ethernet LAN performance for HIPAA-compliant networks at the price of lowerfrequency "Wi-Fi based" links that offer less than a tenth of the performance and lack "spatial pipe" security benefits. BridgeWave links provide a fast-to-deploy, flexible alternative to costly inter-building fiber installations. Alternatively, they provide a cost-effective 100% spatially diverse redundant path for mission-critical fiber connections. Here are a few of the actual applications. Franciscan Health System Franciscan Health System has 7,200 employees in six separate facilities and proudly serves thousands of patients throughout the South Puget Sound area. Challenges Unreliable network connectivity. Need to rapidly re-establish network connectivity between St. Joseph s Hospital and Franciscan Health System s Service Center. Need for high bandwidth low-latency connectivity to support PACS, VoIP, and data. Need for reliable, HIPAA-compliant security equivalent to a LAN data connection. BridgeWave Solution: Ring of GE60 and AR60X, 60 GHz AdaptRate wireless links. Benefits Fiber-equivalent performance without the cost associated with leasing fiber. End-to-end network visibility and control. Secure, reliable transfer of mission-critical applications, including patient information. For more information, click here. Page 8 of 11

9 Rush University Medical Center Rush University Medical Center is a Chicago-based medical institution with 8,500 employees spanning over 30 acres, including a stateof-the-art 700-bed hospital and a 40-bay advanced emergency response center. Challenges Reliable, secure, and HIPAA-compliant LAN data connection. In addition to the monthly lease charge, estimates for fiber installation were more than $500,000 far more than the project budget allowed for. High bandwidth required to support the transfer of sensitive patient data, including medical records, claims, and financial information. BridgeWave Solution: GE60 wireless links. Benefits Immediate connectivity between two buildings. ROI in approximately 5 months. Secure, reliable transfer of patient medical information. A high-capacity network solution was less costly than installing leased fiber, as estimated costs to lay fiber were more than $500,000, in addition to the monthly lease charge. Provided the necessary bandwidth required to support the transfer of sensitive patient data, including medical records, claims, and financial information. HIPAA-compliant security to support the transmission of sensitive financial and medical information from the outpatient care facilities to the main campus data center. For more information, click here. Page 9 of 11

10 River Radiology River Radiology is one of the largest and most technically advanced providers of diagnostic imaging services in New York s Hudson Valley. The thriving practice group sees up to 150 patients a day for a complete range of radiologic services, including bone densitometry, CT scans, digital mammography, MRIs, nuclear medicine, PET scans, ultrasounds, and X-rays. Challenges All MRIs taken at the hospital needed to be transferred to River Radiology s PACS, which is hosted at Kingston, for cataloging, storage, and future viewing. The leasing fee for a 45 Mbps landline link ranged from $3,000 to $4,000 per month and required two- to five-year service commitments. 45 Mbps bandwidth capacity only met minimum bandwidth requirements, which would restrict further expansion of imaging services at the secondary site. The time delay associated with installing a landline link was anywhere between 60 days and six months. Security and reliability were top concerns, especially since River Radiology followed strict HIPAA guidelines and needed to ensure five nines network availability. BridgeWave Solution: AR60 wireless links. Benefits Continuous operation despite several severe storms and frequent inclement weather. Ultra-low latency on the BridgeWave link allowed River Radiology to implement Voice over IP services between the two locations. Achieved a complete ROI on its gigabit wireless installation in 10 months. Featured enough bandwidth to easily accommodate future service expansions, including the addition of a new CT scanner at the hospital. For more information, click here. Page 10 of 11

11 Summary BridgeWave s gigabit wireless solutions are the natural choice for providing fiber equivalent performance and security for a fraction of the cost of fiber. Applications such as electronic patient records and high-resolution medical imaging are well supported with full-rate gigabit Ethernet bandwidth and ultra-low latency performance. BridgeWave links have very narrow beamwidths, which provide data security that is superior to inter-building fiber cabling. The physical security provided by BridgeWave links makes them a clear choice for implementing HIPAA-compliant networks that are critical for burgeoning medical networks. Given these economic advantages combined with their impressive security features, BridgeWave wireless solutions are the ideal choice for interconnecting a health care campus or providing fiber backup. About BridgeWave Communications BridgeWave Communications is the leading supplier of high-capacity 4G millimeter wave backhaul and gigabit wireless connectivity solutions. BridgeWave's carrier-grade, point-to-point wireless FlexPort links provide a future-proof mobile backhaul solution for carriers and mobile operators looking to support 4G/LTE/WiMAX adoption. PicoHaul links provide the same carrier-grade high-capacity, small-cell backhaul for dense cell deployments. The company's 60 GHz and 80 GHz links offer up to ten times the bandwidth of comparably-priced lower-frequency license-free and licensed-band wireless links, while providing superior interference immunity and data security. Founded in 1999, BridgeWave is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. For more information, visit All rights reserved. All other trademarks mentioned in this document or website are the property of their respective owners. Page 11 of 11