Wireless Internet Now An Option For Guests at Bradford Regional

For people with laptop computers, there's a new option available at Bradford Regional Medical Center to make their hospital stay pass a little more quickly.

Officials from Information Technology services at the hospital say that infrastructure upgrades now provide patients the opportunity to use their personal computers for Internet access during medical visits, via hospital-issued passwords.

"It's a customer service, similar to what individuals would expect at hotels and restaurants," explains Terry Palmer, BRMC's Chief Information Officer (CIO). The free service is accessed via patient request to the nursing staff. From there, arrangements are made through the Information Systems Department to obtain the user ID and password for the patient to provide them internet access for their personal laptops. The service is also available to vendors who visit the Medical Center for business purposes, via the hospital's IT Help Desk. The user ID and password can only be used for specific time periods, either one- or seven-days, to match the user's length of stay.

"It's expected that individuals will surf the 'net, check their email, or log onto the hospital's website at www.brmc.com to see what's new," Mr. Palmer says. BRMC's website also features a health information library, MedlinePlus, which offers health news, drug encyclopedias, interactive tutorials and surgery videos.

The idea was originally patient-generated, Mr. Palmer explains, initially through the hospital's ICU area and oncology unit where individuals obtain out-patient treatments for several hours at a time.

"They would be there a while and were interested in bringing their own laptops so we decided it would be a good customer service," Mr. Palmer notes. With a minor investment over the past few months, upgrades were made to install wireless access points in various areas of the facility including patient rooms, the Cancer Care Center in the Outpatient Services Center on the main campus and in general meeting rooms. However, the hospital officials reminds patients and visitors that they are responsible for any personal items brought into the facility. "We assume no responsibility for the safety of their equipment," Mr. Palmer reminds the public. Laptops users are reminded that the user ID and password is only tied to the laptop it's assigned to. "If patients bring in a different laptop during their hospital stay, they'll have to obtain a different user ID and password. These aren't transferable," he explains.

While the technology is being offered to patients and other visitors to ease the stress of waiting time and to provide a recreational tool, officials remind everyone that internet safeguards will be in place. With regard to restrictions over inappropriate sites, Mr. Palmer urges patients to use common sense, and asks parents to use the same oversight they would use with their children at home. "There are restrictions that we have on certain inappropriate sites," he says. Physicians may also use the service, Mr. Palmer notes, with user IDs and passwords which must be renewed every 30 days.

Pictured, Skye Ognen (standing), Clinicial Information Systems Analyst at Bradford Regional Medical Center, demonstrates a new amenity for patients and visitors to staffer Kelly Engel, CNA. Free wireless internet access is now available in several areas of the Medical Center via special user IDs and passwords, available to patients on request. Individuals must provide their own laptops
(Photo courtesy of BRMC)