Ensuring Healthcare Networks Can Keep Key Data in the Fast Lane

Wireless and cellular technologies are advancing, and healthcare networks need to keep up in order to support digital tools and connected medical devices. Applying network upgrades to existing systems to accommodate more data and an increased number of devices requires a well thought-out plan and the support from an organization’s financial stakeholders. Even though it may seem like a daunting expense, upgrading the network is a critical part of ensuring that clinicians can provide reliable, safe care using digital tools.   “Information has to arrive when you need it,” said Shafiq Rab, Rush University Medical Center Senior Vice President and CIO, to HITInfrastructure.com. “Imagine you're trying to go to your friend's house. When you get there only one leg and two hands show up; the rest of your body is somewhere else. How would you feel?” “Say you build a much better network, but you still leave your toe behind?” he continued. “That’s not going to work either. You need your complete body. If you’re always leaving something behind, you could never leave the house. You need your information to be complete, as well, and you need it every time the information is moved.”