| Gartner’s Inc. independent research had | | | | networks that are flexible, fully integrated and |
| shown that as much as half of network problems | | | | accessible. In today’s healthcare environment |
| in the healthcare industry are due to an | | | | Ethernet networks that are IP-based are most |
| inadequate or substandard cabling infrastructure. | | | | suitable to provide the transmission of the large |
| The network infrastructure represents the | | | | quantities of healthcare related data in a rapid and |
| backbone supporting most IT functions. | | | | accurate manner. They support the many |
| Today’s healthcare centers’ networks | | | | applications such as voice, data, video, monitoring |
| need to accommodate not only an enormous | | | | and control. |
| volume of data generated by the modernizations | | | | Transmission speed and bandwidth are important |
| that technology brought to medicine but also need | | | | factors that determine a “high |
| to comply with regulatory standards. | | | | performing” network. Having a robust |
| Telecommunications Industry Association’s | | | | network infrastructure is more than a mere |
| (TIA’s), TR-42.1 Engineering Subcommittee | | | | necessity. In healthcare facilities a network that |
| formed in 2004 a task force group with the | | | | fails can lead to far bigger problems than poor |
| mission of bringing awareness within the | | | | network performance, it can be life threatening. |
| healthcare industry of the benefits of having a | | | | Gartner Inc. research firm concludes that "The |
| comprehensive strategy for structured cabling | | | | wiring plant is arguably the most important part of |
| design and installation that is unique to this | | | | the network. Spend the time and money to |
| industry. Most seasoned structured cabling | | | | ensure that what is installed will be able to support |
| contractors are aware that TR-42.1’s | | | | the environment well into the future. ..." |
| developing guidelines. These guidelines are meant | | | | Considering that hospitals are built to last for |
| to assure that telecommunications infrastructures | | | | more than 50 years the cable plant needs to be |
| for the health-care industry are adequate and | | | | built to perform adequately for its lifecycle of |
| universal. | | | | about 10 years. Gartner research has shown that |
| Some of the areas covered in the guidelines | | | | cabling infrastructure represents a very small |
| TR-42.1 are listed below: | | | | percent of the IT designated resources (around |
| Voice, data, video network infrastructure cabling, | | | | 2%-5%) yet it can account for up to fifty |
| (i.e. security alerts and surveillance, CCTV, and | | | | percent of the problems. This demonstrates that |
| CATV); | | | | an incremental increase in cabling investment can |
| Professional, patient and asset information | | | | lead to an exponential increase in network |
| systems and tracking; | | | | performance, robustness/reliability as well as |
| Remote consultation/telemedicine, diagnostic | | | | productivity and patient safety, patient safety |
| imaging, digital transfer of X-rays, pharma | | | | being a major driver of the healthcare facilities |
| applications; | | | | network design. |
| Mobile applications including nurse call and patient | | | | Given these statistics hospitals in North America |
| monitoring; | | | | should project and plan for the total cost of |
| Bio-analytical systems, clinical equipment | | | | ownership of the network infrastructure over its |
| monitoring, lighting control; | | | | expected lifespan, rather than initial installation |
| Fire and life safety systems, (i.e. alarms, sprinkler | | | | costs as well as consider hiring contractors that |
| systems, Master clock); | | | | comply or exceed the TIA’s TR-42.1 |
| Public network; and others. | | | | guidelines. |
| The cabling infrastructure is critical in designing | | | | |