Feasibility Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The breakthrough of wireless technology has introduced new possibilities for healthcare. These wireless networks allow connection and control between computers, handheld devices, printers, scanners, and other peripherals without the hassle of cords and cables. They provide crucial mobility that is necessary in the modern hospital. In areas of constant activity, such as the ER, the ICU, and the surgical recovery room, immediate information such as a patients test results would be beneficial to nurses and other healthcare providers. One could login to a secure network to retrieve patient records, view x-rays and lab tests, look up information on the internet, order treatments, and consult with specialists from just about anywhere. However, in hospitals with a hard wired network this information is not readily available throughout the hospital and cables can get in the way. With a growing technology, deciding which type of wireless network to implement can be difficult. Therefore, it is my role to evaluate different wireless networking devices and select the best device for the hospital.

Out of the many choices of wireless networks Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) were the two networks evaluated, chosen because of increasing popularity and availability. Within the classification of Wi-Fi networks three IEEE standards were compared, the 802.11b, the 802.11g, and the 802.11a. Each option was compared on the criteria of speed, security, range, cost, and application. I recommend the use of the IEEE 802.11g standard for wireless connectivity. The 802.11g standard provides backward compatibility, it is compatible with earlier versions such as the popular 802.11b devices, it runs twice as fast as the 802.11b, but is less expensive than the newer, faster 802.11a.

BACKGROUND

With the use of a wireless network patient care can be improved and sped up, errors are cut down, record management improves, lost test results are prevented, and decision-making can also be sped up in emergencies. However, this is not always possible with a hard-wired network. Information is not readily available or easily accessed, and cables can sometimes get in the way. Therefore, it is my role to evaluate different wireless networking devices and select the best option for the hospital.

BLUETOOTH

Bluetooth allows multiple devices from multiple manufacturers to speak the same wireless language without the conflicts sometimes found in other wireless connections, such as infrared. This technology is inexpensive, adding about twenty dollars to the price of the device, and is expected to decrease to about ten dollars as popularity grows. Bluetooth is designed for low power consumption with a short range. The range of the device is power class dependent and can be anywhere from 30 feet to 300 feet in line of sight. Due to the short range of operation Bluetooth is often considered to be for personal networking. The range also offers certain benefits. First, it reduces the chances of interference between other wireless connectivities, a basic type of security measure. Bluetooth operates over the unlicensed 2.5 GHz radio spectrum, which allows Bluetooth-enabled equipment to operate anywhere in the world. Bluetooth uses more than 71 different frequencies, which allows the signal to jump around avoiding interference and creating better security. Transmitting in a range of 120kb - 723kb, it is also considered a moderately slow type of networking. This could present problems in a medical environment. Bluetooth can be used in a variety of ways including synchronizing documents between a PDA and a PC without a need for cables and cords or printing medical documents such as controlled substance prescriptions. Like other wireless connections, such as infrared, Bluetooth's limit is that it has short range and requires line of sight connections.

Wi-Fi

Wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi, is the latest standard for long-range wireless networking. It goes further and faster than any other wireless connection and does not require a line of sight. Wireless local area networks (WLANs) are a lot less expensive and much easier to set up than traditional wired networks, and today Wi-Fi actually works as advertised. Because they are easy and relatively inexpensive, wireless networks have become popular for home and small business networks. They provide a secure connection for people to share file servers, printers, internet connections and other resources. A remote control unit and equipment share a special radio frequency, or code, which allows the remote unit to transmit a one-way signal. Wi-Fi technology operates using unlincensed radio frequencies in the 2.4GHz to 5GHz range. The primary difference between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is that Wi-Fi does not require a direct line of site. Instead, data transmits over radio signals that are sent or received through antennas that are connected to the devices. Wi-Fi technology is used to create a fast, no-cord, low-cost network. Many devices can communicate without the expense of installing cabling and cable-related equipment like hubs and switches. If a Wi-Fi ready wireless network is chosen, another decision has to be made, which IEEE standard is best suited for the hospital.

IEEE 802.11b

At speeds of up to 11 Mbps the 802.11b is the most popular wireless networking standard, and also the least expensive. Typical indoor range is about 100 feet at 11 Mbps and 300 feet at 1 Mbps. These cards can operate at 11 Mbps but will scale back to 5.5 Mbps then 2 Mbps then 1 Mbps, if signal quality becomes an issue. Since lower data rates use less complex and more redundant methods of encoding data they are more secure. Many of today's laptops, tablet PCs, handheld devices, printer, and other peripherals