This document discusses the benefits of wireless networks in healthcare settings like hospitals. It defines wireless networks and how they allow mobility for clinicians by enabling documentation at the point of care. The document outlines the process for selecting and installing a wireless network, including assessing needs, site visits, antenna placement and construction benefits over traditional hardwiring. It emphasizes the importance of security measures like authentication, authorization and encryption to protect wireless networks and patient data. Overall, wireless networks can improve patient safety, costs, quality and staff efficiency by providing mobile access to clinical documentation and patient information.

1. Making Wireless Connections
in the OR
TEPR 2008

2. Beautiful Northwest 
• The Oregon Coast about an hour from Portland, OR

3. Objectives
• The attendee will be able to identify two benefits of
wireless networks for hospitals and other healthcare
organizations.
• The attendee will be able to define authentication,
authorization and encryption in relation to wireless
networks.
• The attendee will understand why security of any network
including a wireless network is essential and needs careful
consideration when planning the network
• The attendee will be able to define the term wireless
network.

4. Transition of Computer Use in the
Operating Room
• Initiated with Billing Systems
• Gradually expanded into
–Supply Management
– Scheduling
• Now more and more see influx
into
– Clinical Documentation

5. Traditional Setup for OR Systems
Network
• Hard wired (cat 5 cable)
• Computers-set Location
• Many OR room setups have been
done in this manner as well.

6. What is Wireless ?
• Transmission of voice or data across
a wireless network
–Utilizes radio frequency transmission
to transfer data or voice across a
network
–High or low frequency
–Industry level modems
–Standard signal formatting 802.11b

7. Mobility
• One of the main advantages of wireless
networks
– Allows clinician to Move Around as needed
– If Combined with mobile
Computer system
• allows Documentation at P0C

8. Documentation at Point of Care
• Clinicians need immediate
access to patient
information and care

9. Wireless Selection
• Begins with Identification of facility Needs
– Network architecture
• facility wide
• or OR only
– Site Visit
• Project manager, clinical Staff member, Technology
team member, Clinical Engineering
– Signal Antenna Placement
• Outline area for Network
• Identify Transmission Devices and antennas needed

10. Wireless Construction
Installation Benefits
• Less physical area construction needed
• Less expensive install than hardwiring

11. Expense of Wireless Install
–Wireless Modems
• More Expensive
• Do Not Require Major construction
Changes
• Do Require-excellent Signal

12. Wireless workflow
• Current workflow Pattern
• Identification of wireless
effects
• utilize Change Management

13. Operating Room nurse Workflows
• Workflows Demonstrate
• 1) Numerous Patient Care Activities
• Preop Area
• OR area
• PACU area
• 2) Main patient care activities in the OR room
– Moving around the OR room working with OR
team and monitoring surgical patient’s status.

14. OR Nurse. Work Activity
• See Increased Use-wireless
Connectivity in Operating Rooms
– Decreased construction Cost
– More Flexibility for clinician
– allows Patient Documentation at
POC

15. Wireless Network Security
• Amy Network has Potential Security Rush
• Wireless Security best Maintained by
utilizing
– Authentication
– Authorization
– Encryption

16. Computer Authentication
• Authentication
– First Steps Protecting a Network
– Uses a VPN
– Used to identify user before they are
allowed on network
• Uses S. go on ID and individual password
– Considered Best Method to Prevent
Unauthorized access

17. Computer Authorization
• Define User Access:
–Ex. OR Nurse
• Access to Perioperative electronic
documentation
• View-only Access to Preop Doc

18. Computer Data Encryption
• Method to change or disguise data
– most Common 128 bit
– minimum standard
– Requires Software on both Ends
• data can still possibly be intercepted
• But much harder to, decipher

19. Computer Security
• Stolen Computers
–Laptop. Mobile devices
– Variety protective measures available
1. Software installed for Tracking
–Activation codes
• Send location.
– Code can be sent to delete Sensitive files

20. The Cost of a Stolen Laptop Computer
• Estimated cost $6,000
–Includes
• Laptop
• Software loss
• Time to replace
• Data stored on computer

21. The Cost of a Stolen Laptop Computer
• Cost of sensitive data if not protected by
encryption or other measures
• Ex – news story awhile back about VA laptop
stolen contained social security numbers of
many who had served in military.

22. Potential Improvements
Using wireless Connections
• Patient Safely
• Cost improvements
• Quality
• Staff Utilization
• More Efficient Work Processes

23. Downtime
• Plan How this will be Handled
–Paper Doc
• Scanned
• Or manually entered post surgical
case

24. Objective Review
• Advantages of wireless Connections
– Improved Patient Care
– Mobility for Clinicians
• Necessary Aspects of Wireless
Networks
– Authentication
– authorization
– Encryption

25. Mobile workforce
• Wireless Networks Provide
Alternative to Standard Hard-Wired
Networks
• Many Benefits
– Immediate access to Patient Data
–Mobility provided for clinician