Over the past several weeks I have been pinged countless times about my attendace at this meeting. Actually, I was invited. I think that will stimulate a lot of healthy discussion. For once it is hoped that everybody is looking at wireless in healthcare in a holistic fashion. It would be my goal that specific companies are not spinning their marketing message. What needs to happen to drive toward common best practices of WLAN deployments, broadband, (cellular/PCS, Public Safety) and other wireless modalities (such as Zigbee), etc. It is my opinion the last thing the medical device community is try to drive forward is some unique licensed frequency. This is just a way for the medical device community to provide uniqueness in a commoditized marketplace. It just adds potential huge costs to healthcare, yet alone every company doing their own thing (a.k. WMTS). What is really needed as stated is a process of deployment of wireless modalities, (testing by the medical device company in a standardized process, using tools like www.veriwave.com ). This not just WLAN, but everything. How is the deployment process monitored for changes once the deployment is complete? What about EMI policies and procedures and documentation. Is proximity testing by the medical device industry standarized, why not? Who takes ownership for this, IT, the infrastructure provider, the integrator, or the medical device company. Bottom line they all need to work together with standard methodologies in place.
