WLAN with access points for hospital use

March 2007 Fieldbus & Industrial Networking

Funkwerk Enterprise Communications (FEC), has had its funkwerk W1002 and W2002 access points licensed for hospital use. The certificate attests the access points' electromagnetic compliance (EMC) necessary for wireless communication in medical institutions. A WLAN infrastructure allows hospitals and therapy centres uncomplicated administration of patient files on a mobile ward round and fast connection of diagnostic equipment to the hospital information system.

The EMC for the access points is tested as part of EN 60601-1-2 validation. The certificate attests that the WLAN infrastructure does not affect sensitive medical diagnostic equipment. This is a basic requirement for hospital use of WLAN to ensure the reliability of measurement results. The access points also demonstrate enhanced immunity to external interference, which forms the basis for trouble-free operation of the wireless network. Besides the new access points - funkwerk W1002 and funkwerk W2002 - the FEC W-Client CardBus .11g client card is licensed in medical institutions. The certificate is valid within Europe.

For instance, WLAN facilitates mobile ward rounds in a hospital. The physician and hospital personnel have continuous access to patient data via a laptop, ie, including the latest results, throughout the ward round. During the ward round, the physician or nursing staff can directly enter further prescription orders and examinations into the patient file on the hospital server. This significantly reduces the period spend with follow-up work, and the direct entry at the patient's bedside avoids errors which could occur in subsequent transfer of data into the hospital information system.

Another advantage of WLAN integration: diagnostic equipment connected via the Ethernet interface into the hospital WLAN can be deployed on the move. This means that a WLAN infrastructure helps the hospital limit expensive multiple procurements, as devices can be integrated via the wireless network in every operating theatre and in every patient room. In contrast to a wired network, the costly routing and sterilisation of cables does not arise.

For more information contact Lapp Cable, +27 (0)861 CABLES.

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