Infographic: The State of Wireless Networking in Healthcare

In a recent survey conducted by Enterasys asked the leading healthcare organizations on the current state of wireless networking in healthcare and how they are planning to support biomedical devices, patient and clinician BYOD while still maintaining a secure network infrastructure.

According to the survey findings, 30% of hospitals currently do not offer Wi-Fi to patients and guests. With new regulations regarding the accessing of hospital resources using personally-owned devices, CIO’s may be a concerned with supporting these devices on the life-critical wireless network, mostly due to the liability increase for data breaches and the financial ramifications associated with such situations. However, studies show patient satisfaction scores increase over 10% when enabling interactive technologies such as those that require wireless networking.  Key benefits of interactive patient technology gives patients faster access to hospital staff and services as well as a portal to stay in touch with loved ones while in the hospital.

The survey shows that in order to fully embrace wireless connectivity for patients, guests, and clinically-owned devices at the point of care, healthcare IT must have a way to enforce mobile device management and location-based access policies.  Survey findings shows that 32% of hospitals are not using technology to enforce their BYOD policies.  There are unique risks involved with BYOD in healthcare including the fact that if a BYOD program is implemented improperly, the errors can be costly because the HITECH Act enforces HIPAA rules which will increase financial penalties for violations and breaches in patient data security.  Survey findings state that 32% of hospitals are still not using an identity and access management solution which includes integration to mobile device management.

The following infographic created by Enterasys Networks  shown below highlights the importance of wireless coverage that successfully meet regulations that will financially benefit healthcare organizations.