Why a robust network infrastructure is the backbone of enhanced patient care

The healthcare sector has always been high in demand for skilled professionals and continuous advancements in the latest technologies. However, the need to digitize for data-sharing was highlighted during the pandemic, as the world faced a talent crunch on patient care. From high burn-out rates to overwhelmed healthcare systems, the urgency to streamline processes and improve communication became evident.

As the role of healthcare workers transforms alongside technology to become more efficient, it also takes away administrative tasks that were traditionally time-consuming. In Asia Pacific (APAC), healthcare organizations are already undergoing digital transformation to serve patients’ healthcare needs more holistically without stressing the current workforce. In 2025, it is estimated that one in 10 hospitals in APAC will leverage robotics beyond surgery and outside their operating rooms to enhance care delivery. By 2027, 55% of healthcare organizations in the region will rely on digital-first strategies, interoperable workflows, and consumer data platforms to empower patients, elevate experiences, and champion trust1.

Transforming the patient care experience

Smart hospitals are on the rise, and healthcare organizations are going beyond just providing patients with the care they need, well on their way to revolutionizing the patient care experience.

Seiichiro Sato, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, Allied Telesis, believes that instead of approaching technology as simply a space for data collection and collaboration, more healthcare institutions are finding ways they can leverage technology to enhance patient care.

“In a recent project, we provide seamless wireless connectivity to Paramount Bed’s sensor bed mats and eye scan cameras so patients can be monitored 24/7. These medical sensors can report a patient’s sleep status and provide patient health data continuously, and in turn help healthcare providers deliver the highest level of care and comfort,” Sato explains.

Defining smart hospital success with zero downtime

With technology and connectivity going hand-in-hand, even a split-second delay can be a matter of life and death in an industry like healthcare. This is why for smart hospitals, having a connected infrastructure is critical to ensure systems never fail. The Allied Telesis Network Virtualization ensures a zero-downtime infrastructure with network core redundancy so that medical practitioners can focus on their most important mission – to save lives.

The high cost of medical equipment also means that they need to be used in the most efficient way. As equipment is often moved around medical facilities, it can be frustrating for medical practitioners to have to locate the devices they need when they need them.

Being able to track and identify their whereabouts in real-time can be a real game changer.

Its partnership with Terumo—a global leader in medical technology that develops vascular intervention and cardio-surgical solutions, as well as essential medical products for daily clinical practice—to enable smart syringe pumps so that their location can always be detected is just one example of how technology can support medical staff by saving valuable time.

Tackling data breaches for a secure, and always-on connectivity

Sato cautioned that as the healthcare industry becomes more digitized, it is equally as important for organizations to safeguard their data.

“Whether it’s new medical research, day-to-day operational data, or patient’s confidential medical records, the more data an organization has, the wider their attack surface becomes,” he adds.

Consider how the medical sector contributed to 35.4 percent of all breach events in 2022. That same year also marked the 13th consecutive year for the healthcare sector to be reported as having the highest data breach costs in the region.

Having a robust network infrastructure is not a luxury; it is a necessity to safeguard patient safety and satisfaction as well as to drive employee efficiency and productivity. It also enables the democratization of healthcare, as the Landseed International Hospital in Taiwan has demonstrated, having been set up to provide the highest volume of telemedicine services in Taiwan.

Looking to emulate their success? Sato advised that organizations first need to investigate their network infrastructure and reevaluate areas that can be improved. Implement highly reliable wireless access to mitigate core issues like dead spots, conflicting signals, and dropped connections. Having good oversight of the network is also crucial to manage assets, and proactively address any network issues that may arise, particularly around the vital functions of the organization.

“For the highest level of security, healthcare organizations need to enable secure network access, prioritizing identity-based access control. Having a robust and secure network is only beneficial and impactful if it is easy enough for employees to navigate. Set up a network management system on the back end to automate activities so that IT teams can focus on more business-critical work,” says Sato.

The Allied Telesis’ zero downtime promise guarantees organizations against system failures due to infrastructure-related issues. After all, the best healthcare system is one that is always available anytime, anywhere. Connect with our team to find out more.

1IDC, IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Healthcare Industry 2023 Predictions – Asia Pacific Implications, Jan 2023

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