Network Convergence: A Catalyst For Reducing Cost Across Healthcare Facilities

The traditional approach to designing hospital buildings— deploying multiple proprietary networks for voice, video and data, HVAC; security and access, energy, lighting, fire and safety; and other functions — unnecessarily increases capital costs and operational expenses. When developers and builders replace disparate networks with one simplified, flexible, and scalable IP network, it creates a catalyst for an information utility, while reducing cost and complexity.

Network connectivity has traditionally been an afterthought in building construction, left to the healthcare organization that moves into the building. Every application and system is bought, installed, and managed separately. But today, growing numbers of builders and healthcare organizations see the IP network as an integral part of the building design.

They are creating an information utility, based on a fiber optic backbone infrastructure that is both wired and wireless. This information utility is the enabler that allows tenants to be green, save energy, and to better operate and manage systems on a daily basis. Integrated into building automation and management systems, it offers better visibility into critical systems such as uninterrupted power supplies, generators, and surgical suites, for better and faster response by operations teams. Combined with Connected Real Estate, the Cisco Information Utility transforms facilities into intelligent building systems.

When builders plan for the network infrastructure as part of the building foundation, their tenants can:

• Avoid the costs of deploying and managing multiple proprietary networks for voice, video, and data as well as separate building systems and associated devices to control HVAC, security and access, fire and safety, elevators, and lighting.
• Comply with new legislation on energy consumption and environmental impact. Today, buildings consume 50 percent of the world's energy and 90 percent of the electricity. New building regulations seek to cut that, offering various incentives to do so.
• Transform organizations into automated, enabled, networked, virtual workplaces that enhance productivity and efficiency.
• Deliver new patient services that increase the hospital's competitive appeal.

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