Wireless Broadband Communications 

Saves Hospital $500,000

ROME – Rome Memorial Hospital has converted to a new high-speed wireless network from Cybertech Wireless, Inc., that provides faster transfer of information between the hospital and its Rome off-site locations at a significant cost savings.

The hospital provides outpatient services at several sites in Rome that maintain a direct communications link to the hospital’s computer network.

"The combination of dial-up modem lines, 56K and T1 leased lines was costing the hospital thousands of dollars each year," said Tony Laria, Director of Information Technology at the hospital. "The new wireless network links the hospital with the Rome off-site locations that are in the hospital’s direct line of sight."

Laria said the shift to the wireless broadband communication system pays for itself in just under 18 months. The system eliminates contracts, fees and escalating rates associated with the use of telephone and cable lines, he pointed out. "Ultimately, going wireless will save the hospital about $500,000 in over ten years," he said.

Mohawk Valley Radiation Medicine is just one of the hospital’s off-site services that is benefiting from the faster connection. Patti March, chief radiation therapist at Mohawk Valley Radiation Medicine, hailed the advanced communications network for its efficiency and reliability in linking her treatment planning computer at Chestnut Commons with the CT scanner at the hospital.

"Cancer patients, who are undergoing radiation therapy, have CT scans to help pinpoint the area for treatment," March explained. "With the wireless connection, information from the CT scanner at the hospital can be transferred directly and almost instantaneously to the treatment planning computer at Chestnut Commons."

To connect Chestnut Commons to the hospital with a high-speed T1 line would have cost about $9,000 a year, Laria said. "In addition, the T1 line couldn’t give Mohawk Valley Radiation Medicine the speed of the wireless. It would have taken about 10 minutes to download an average-size image with a T1 line and only about 2 minutes with the wireless."

Security was an important consideration when exploring the new system. According to Michael Franco, sales operations manager, of Rochester-based Cybertech Wireless, Inc., the wireless network is a secure system that has been utilized by the government and banking industry where security is equally as important. The data is scrambled and the equipment utilizes hard-coded addressing, which requires the transmitters and receivers to recognize each other for the data to be exchanged.

The wireless has numerous advantages in addition to speed, Laria said. For example, new hospital services can be connected quickly and easily without costly cable or line installations. The system also has fewer points for possible failure than traditional lines.

"With the challenge of increasing supply and wage costs and declining reimbursements, it is essential for hospitals to find more cost effective ways to do things without sacrificing patient care," said Basil J. Ariglio, Vice President Finance/Support Services. "The wireless is an example of how the hospital can save money and enhance service."