Southampton hospital uses secure wireless network

Southampton University Hospitals Trust is using an encrypted wireless local area network to improve the security and accuracy of patient records and to transfer digital images of patients' x-rays.

The network also provides hospitals with voice over IP and asset tracking services.

Ryan Hewitt, senior network and security analyst at Southampton University Hospitals Trust, said, "Security is a major concern for any enterprise, but it is absolutely crucial for a healthcare institution to ensure the full protection of all confidential patient data.

"The network was able immediately to identify rogue programs, and could defend against potential threats, such as man-in-the-middle attacks, by encrypting all data from the client device through to the controller."

Southampton University Hospitals Trust provides healthcare services to more than three million people in southern England and the Channel Islands.

The £170,000 Aruba Networks wireless network is in use at Southampton General Hospital, Princess Anne Hospital, and Southampton University Hospital Trusts' Medical Health Records Centre, with further expansion planned.

The wireless network provides ubiquitous coverage throughout the sites, including in operating theatres.

Since cable networks can jeopardise the sterile environment of an operating theatre, robust wireless connectivity was mandatory, said the trust.

The network also provides secure access to the trust's Picture Archiving and Communications System (Pacs) devices, which are used instead of traditional film-based x-ray images.

London trusts use digital x-ray system >>