Wireless technology considerations for the future

Wireless technologies have proliferated quickly over a short period of time across the healthcare landscape, and wireless technology managers are now reaching a tipping point. A group of 75 wireless health technology experts met in October 2012 for an Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation workshop to discuss the future of the field. The result was five themes for consideration as wireless technologies play an ever larger role in healthcare.

“Clarify roles and responsibilities”

Hospital executives have largely been hands off when it comes to wireless technologies, but this should change, according to the report. Wireless technology management requires participation and collaboration from and among personnel representing multiple departments. Wireless technology enthusiasts should engage executives to ensure that institutional goals accommodate wireless technologies, and executives should engage wireless technology managers to ensure a clear line of accountability exists should problems arise.

“Manage the spectrum to improve safety and security”

Radiofrequency bands on the electromagnetic spectrum that enable wireless electronic communication are in high demand and limited supply, creating safety  and security challenges. “Spectrum management at the national level is a mix of engineering, law, economics, diplomacy and public policy,” the report read. “It’s in the policy arena that hospitals, manufacturers, medical practitioners, other federal agencies and the general public can collaborate and advocate for spectrum management practices that benefit healthcare.”

“Design the wireless infrastructure for high reliability

There are many mistakes to be made when implementing wireless technologies in healthcare, including lack of planning, poor decision making, premature purchases, inadequate testing, business requirements, and intended uses. A single misstep can compromise the reliability of a wireless infrastructure, according to the report. Healthcare organizations should define their expectations and develop plans for wireless technologies with patient safety, effectiveness and reliability as top priorities. Characteristics of reliable wireless infrastructures include built-in redundancies, self-protection functionalities and support for legacy technology.

“Learn from other industries”

Other industries have been quicker than healthcare to widely adopt wireless technologies and have completed a lot of the leg work that goes into early adoption. “Other high-risk industries are tackling similar challenges with standards, policies, guidance and best practices,” the report read. “In healthcare, as in other industries, it’s important to express security requirements in a common way. Developing standard approaches to testing, and usability standards, are important security steps as well.”

“Manage risk and prevent failure”

Patient safety is often an afterthought in the development of wireless technologies, but it should be a top consideration beginning in the design phase, according to the report. Wireless devices developed for healthcare purposes should be designed for failure, so that the failure of a single component will not result in a high-risk event. Wireless technology vendors and manufacturers using tools and strategies, such as fault tolerance and software assurance, to ensure safety and security. 

The complete report is available on the AAMI website.