Private 5G is fast attracting the attention of fast-paced organizations that want to upgrade their internet infrastructures. WiFi, for example, offers a limited range and has other issues, such as network congestion, slow handoffs, router overheating, etc.
On the contrary, Private 5G offers low latency, better connection range, faster speeds, and other advantages that make it a preferred option over traditional internet options.
These features can offer amazing applications for the healthcare sector. In this article, we’ll discuss Private 5G in hospitals and its 5 practical use cases.
Using Private 5G In Hospitals
Private 5G offers a range of practical applications for the healthcare sector.
From better staff communication to enhanced visitor experience, it can influence many important aspects of the hospital facilities. Let’s explore 5 areas where private 5G can help hospitals.
1. Reliable Communication Method
Connectivity is crucial for doctors and other staff members to communicate around the hospital.
Be it their in-house communication channels or third-party communication tools like Skype, Slack or Microsoft Teams, a reliable network is a necessity.
Unfortunately, with WiFi, the range is often limited, and with the slow handoffs, there can be delays in message delivery and reception. Private 5G is way more reliable in that sense.
Because the range is remarkable. It can cover up to a mile from one base station. So, the lags because of handoffs and limited router range are almost eliminated. This can especially help in hospital settings where few seconds of delays can be the difference between life and death.
2. Efficient Asset Tracking and Management
A private 5G network enables real-time tracking of hospital assets like medical equipment, beds, wheelchairs, and more.
By using Internet of Things (IoT) sensors on these assets, hospital staff can easily locate and manage equipment. This can help the staff with managing time and resources better.
Moreover, private 5G can support seamless connectivity across all areas of the hospital, from crowded emergency rooms to storage facilities, ensuring all equipment is accurately tracked in real-time.
Besides cost-cutting and streamlined operations, this implementation shall allow staff members to focus more on patient care and less on administrative responsibilities.
3. Real-Time Patient Monitoring
Private 5G networks allow for seamless, real-time patient monitoring, crucial for critical care and remote patient tracking.
Connected devices such as wearables can continuously monitor patients’ vital signs and relay data instantly to healthcare providers, even in high-traffic environments.
For example, a 5G-enabled network could allow real-time monitoring of ICU patients, where fluctuations in vitals can immediately alert the medical team, enabling faster interventions.
In fact, many medical device manufacturers are now manufacturing devices with 5G features so they can track data in real time and offer better connectivity.
4. Telehealth
Private 5G can significantly enhance the telehealth experience in a hospital.
Currently, most hospitals are powered by WiFi, which has 2 major problems with telehealth. Limited movement and dropped calls because of network congestion and WiFi bandwidth issues.
Private 5G addresses both these issues. Because of the vast range, doctors can handle video calls from their offices as well as when they are on their duty rounds. Second, because network congestion isn’t an issue with Private 5G, the number of dropped calls goes down to almost zero.
Plus, with Private 5G, there’s an option to dedicate certain bandwidth to high-priority tasks. This means that other internet operations won’t interfere with dedicated tasks at all.
So, this technology can give a huge performance boost to telehealth.
5. Enhanced Data Security and Compliance
Hospitals handle a massive amount of sensitive patient data, from electronic health records (EHRs) to diagnostic images and treatment plans. Hospitals are legally required to protect this data.
Unfortunately, WiFi is easier to penetrate, which puts this sensitive data at risk of breach.
With private 5G, hospitals gain a dedicated network that isolates data from public networks, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
Private 5G’s built-in encryption and network slicing capabilities provide an additional layer of security, ensuring that sensitive data remains protected while complying with regulatory standards like HIPAA.
Conclusive Thoughts – The Future of Hospital Connectivity
Deploying private 5G networks within hospitals is more than a technological upgrade – it’s a critical enabler of innovation in patient care and operational efficiency. Several hospitals, including The Cleveland Clinic Mentor Hospital in Ohio, are switching to Private 5G for better on-ground connectivity.
This technology offers hospitals the speed, reliability, and security necessary to support advanced applications and operate efficiently.
As the healthcare sector moves towards a more connected and data-driven approach, private 5G will play a central role in transforming how hospitals operate and deliver care. In fact, with cities implementing Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES), hospitals with Private 5G can play a role in dealing with emergency situations more efficiently.
If you are from the healthcare sector and wish to know more about Private 5G or DAS implementation for hospitals, contact us right away!