WiFi networks designed specifically for hospital use are catching on around the world, as both staff and patients see the multiple benefits of secure network access.
So says Anton Jacobsz, managing director of networking solutions distributor, Networks Unlimited, who points out that along with hotels, retail areas, restaurants and city centres, medical facilities are now looking to benefit from on-site WiFi access.
According to a white paper by virtualised wireless LAN solutions provider, Meru Networks, the use of WiFi is growing rapidly in medical institutions. It says apart from the benefits WiFi delivers to hospital staff, it also allows patients, their families and visitors to use tablets and smartphones to access the Internet, making their hospital stays more convenient and pleasant.
In July, the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria rolled out free WiFi for patients and medical staff - a first for a public hospital in Africa.
"Now, everyone expects to be connected all the time," says Jacobsz. "Medical staff and patients are starting to demand the convenience and productivity benefits of WiFi access in hospitals too."
According to Jacobsz, not only does WiFi access give healthcare professionals real-time mobile access to collaboration tools, patient records, test results and other vital information while doing their rounds, it has also been found patients who are able to stay in touch with loved ones via social media tend to fare better and recover faster than those who don't.
This is particularly important for older patients and patients undergoing long-term treatment, he adds.
However, he says, there is a challenge in delivering WiFi in hospitals. "Knowing the height of the sensitivity of the information that needs to be shared in a hospital environment, security of the WiFi networks is of paramount importance.
"In the case of high-profile patients, unencrypted data could be intercepted and sent to the media. We saw this in the news recently when medical information about Michael Schumacher was reportedly stolen through the Grenoble Hospital WiFi network and offered for sale to media outlets.
"However, it is not only high-profile patients that could be targeted - any patient's personal information could be stolen and used by criminals unless it is shared in a highly secure manner."
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