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