March 20, 2006
Genesis Offers Wireless Internet Access Throughout Hospitals
Davenport, IA – Genesis Health System, one of the nation's 100 Most Wired hospitals and health systems, is now providing wireless Internet access for patients, families, physicians and visitors at all four hospital campuses.
Wireless web access is a trend in restaurants, at specialty coffee businesses and hotels, but is not widely available in hospitals. Genesis is offering wireless Web access throughout the Genesis Medical Center campuses in Davenport, DeWitt, Iowa and Silvis, Ill.
Anyone with a laptop computer loaded with a wireless card is able to access the Genesis wireless network and log on to the Internet without plugging into a phone jack or cable line.
"This is a testament to the continuing pursuit by Genesis to use the latest technology to provide the healthiest, most comfortable hospital experience possible," said Rob Frieden, Vice President of Information Services, Genesis Health System. "We are already aware of stories of family members of patients being able to stay at the hospital with the patient without losing track of their other responsibilities."
Dean Hiles, Director of Information Technology for Genesis Health System, said wireless Internet access puts Genesis at the leading edge of the trend in health care.
"We're starting to hear about some hospitals headed in this direction, but not many yet," Hiles said. "Wireless Internet access is an additional amenity to make the hospital as comfortable as possible for everyone."
"Being able to send e-mail, pictures, play games, or just surf the Internet may help patients be more comfortable during their stay, whether it is only for a few hours, or for an extended period of time."
Excited new parents are now able to get the news of their baby, and the baby’s first photo, to friends and family quicker from Genesis Medical Center using their personal e-mail accounts.
A business owner trying to balance business responsibilities with concern for a family member or friend recovering from surgery will be able to take care of both important concerns without neglecting either.
"In the past we have had people in the hospitals ask if they could use a computer for a few minutes to catch up on work they are missing by being at the hospital," said Dave Leslie, Supervisor of Network and Security in the Genesis information technology department. "With their own computers, that is a service that will be available throughout our hospitals."
There will be no charge for the Wireless Fidelity, or WiFi, service.
Leslie said Genesis has been gradually moving toward WiFi access for more than a year.
"There have been spots where wireless access was available, but if you moved five feet, you might no longer have access," he explained. "Wireless is now available everywhere at our hospitals."
Physicians who have used Genesis computers to access patient information will be able to use their own laptop computers for the same purpose. Patient information will not be available to non-clinical users.
Genesis Health System has been named one of the nation's 100 Most Wired hospitals and health systems for the past two years by Hospitals and Health Networks magazine. The recognition is based on the use of information technology to accomplish key goals, including safety and quality objectives.
