In-Building Mobile Coverage Affects Patient Care Quality
It’s no secret that the quality of patient care is the absolute most important objective of every healthcare facility and that every facet of the patient experience is critically important. In modern hospitals and healthcare facilities, a cornerstone of this experience is the assurance of dependable mobile voice and data connectivity.
The challenge of poor in-building mobile coverage affects the quality of patient care in a number of ways. With an increasing number of hospitals adopting bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity is imperative. This connectivity allows physicians and staff to access electronic healthcare records, patient intake forms, and application data securely and reliably throughout the medical campus. Mobile devices for telehealth services, including video consultations and remote monitoring, have also become prevalent. Telehealth and digital health tools have emerged as crucial components in delivering care to over 30 million Americans.
The growing adoption of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) in healthcare facilities for monitoring diagnostic equipment, pharmaceuticals, and hospital supplies underscores the importance of 24×7 wireless connectivity. Patients and visitors now expect constant access to connectivity for various needs, including reviewing lab results, engaging in video chats with loved ones, or simply making a phone call without interruption.
Secure, comprehensive, in-building connectivity is vital for achieving optimal health outcomes and delivering a superior patient experience. What strategies can healthcare IT professionals employ to enhance connectivity for patients, staff, and visitors?
Adapting to 5G for Future-Proof Healthcare Connectivity
The rollout of 5G technology will increase the number of mobile network operators (MNOs), expanding the radio frequency (RF) spectrum to accommodate the growing need for network coverage and capacity.
New mid-band frequencies, like the C-Band and Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), face challenges with signal penetration due to modern building materials and designs. This often results in dropped calls and inconsistent service quality across medical facilities, exacerbated by the unique architectural layouts common in hospitals.
While many healthcare facilities are equipped with Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) to enhance cellular coverage, updating or replacing these systems must align with 5G’s mid-band frequencies. Facilities equipped with adaptable, multi-band DAS platforms can easily incorporate new frequencies, although adjustments are required to accommodate the specific properties of these bands.
Navigating the Shift to Mid-Band Spectrum
The mid-band spectrum’s suitability for 5G owes to its capability for larger frequency channels, enabling increased capacity. However, these advantages come with challenges, including more substantial radio output power consumption, leading to reduced signal strength and coverage area per antenna.
For instance, a single antenna’s coverage might drastically shrink from over 1,000 square feet with 4G to merely 150 square feet using 5G’s C-Band, factoring in common obstructions like furniture and interior walls.
Addressing these challenges requires DAS equipment upgrades and strategic configuration adjustments to maintain extensive coverage. Solutions range from integrating amplifiers to enhance power output per antenna to adopting fiber-to-the-edge systems to support new 5G frequencies effectively.
Fostering an Ideal Patient Experience with Advanced Connectivity
Ensuring that smartphones, tablets, laptops, and critical medical devices are consistently functional is essential for seamless facility operations. By providing pervasive in-building connectivity, healthcare professionals can utilize secure BYOD mobility efficiently as they attend to patients.
This enables prompt documentation of medical records directly into the system, enhancing accuracy, collaboration, and care accessibility. Implementing or upgrading to the latest DAS systems is key in delivering secure, reliable connectivity that supports the bandwidth requirements for optimal patient care and overall wellness.
MCA stands at the forefront of connecting healthcare facilities across the U.S. with sophisticated DAS solutions, facilitating superior patient experiences and standards of care. Our expertise and advanced DAS equipment have supported numerous healthcare institutions, including major hospitals and medical centers, in establishing a robust mobile communications infrastructure.
About MCA
MCA is one of the largest and most trusted DAS and private wireless integrators in the United States, offering world-class voice, data, and security solutions that enhance the quality, safety, and productivity of customers, operations, and lives.
More than 65,000 customers trust MCA to provide carefully researched solutions for a safe, secure, and more efficient workplace. As your trusted advisor, we reduce the time and effort needed to research, install, and maintain the right solutions to make your workplace better.
Our team of certified professionals across the United States delivers a full suite of reliable technologies with a service-first approach. The MCA advantage is our extensive service portfolio to support the solution lifecycle from start to finish.
