Connected and integrated systems facilitate efficient communications and patient care, while improving patient safety and facility security. However, your facility’s network needs to be strong enough and reliable enough to power the technology and hardware of those systems, especially with wireless systems and components.

Wireless security solutions are designed to be reliable, provided the WiFi network they are running on delivers a strong, reliable signal. If there are weak spots in your facility’s network or issues with connectivity or signal strength, it can affect the reliability and effectiveness of your connected systems. In healthcare settings, good patient care depends on systems working reliably and efficiently. Connectivity is critical. Here’s why senior living facilities need to test wireless networks and make sure their networks are strong and reliable:

Why Senior Living Facilities Need Strong Wireless Networks

Senior living facilities and other healthcare facilities have a lot to cover and a lot going on. Between patients, staff, and visitors, there are a lot of people moving throughout the facility. Safety and security are paramount, and with so much equipment for care and security systems relying on electricity and connectivity to work, strong wireless networks are critical. Here’s why senior living facilities need strong wireless networks:

1. Staff are mobile.
2. Equipment needs to move.
3. Access to Electronic Health Records (EHR) is essential.
4. Notifications and communications systems deliver critical information.
5. Strong wireless networks improve patient care and experience.
6. Compliance standards require reliable and secure data.
7. Wireless networks enhance security systems and facility management.

1. Staff Are Mobile

Good patient care and safety require good communication, access to data, and attention from staff. Effective caregiving requires staff to be mobile; often moving between different wards, rooms, and common areas, as well as administrative offices, supply storage rooms, and other areas of the facility. They need to be able to access and update records, receive real-time communications and updates, and more on the go, wherever they are in the facility.

Dead zones, inconsistent signals, or weak signals can disrupt communications and equipment, which directly impacts the quality of care, response times, and staff efficiency. Mobile devices and equipment on a reliable network improve nurse call workflows, improve response times, and allow staff to provide a higher quality of care for better outcomes.

2. Equipment Needs to Move

Just as staff need to move from room to room and around the facility, various types of equipment are mobile as well, and also need to roam seamlessly throughout the facility. Computers on wheels (COWs), infusion pumps, vitals monitors, and more are common types of mobile medical equipment in healthcare settings.

Staff need to be able to move smoothly and seamlessly with equipment across the facility without losing connection or speed. A strong wireless network with strong, reliable wall-to-wall connectivity ensures that mobile equipment stays connected, secure, and accurate, no matter where staff need to use it within the facility.

3. Access to Electronic Health Records (EHR) is Essential

Good patient care requires accurate, current resident health data. Staff need to be able to securely and quickly access, review, and update electronic health records (EHR) at the point of care and on whatever secure device a staff member is using to do so. A secure, reliable, and strong wireless network ensures that staff can instantly and easily access patient health records when they need to and wherever they need to.

Not only does this reduce errors and improve response times, but it also increases the speed of care, especially for routine tasks and updates. This allows staff to have more time per resident for delivering more personalized, high-quality care, which can increase patient satisfaction and experience while facilitating better outcomes.

4. Notifications and Communications Systems Deliver Critical Information

Another one of the reasons why senior living facilities need strong wireless networks is that nurse call systems and any other notification and communications systems in use deliver critical information. In addition, patients may be using wearables or other health monitoring devices.

These will send updates and alerts to caregivers and need strong, reliable WiFi connectivity to work properly. Patient care and safety depend on staff receiving critical updates and alerts in real-time. Facilitating rapid responses in emergency situations, streamlining patient care, and more are ways nurse call systems improve patient safety.

But, wired and wireless nurse call systems depend on reliable networks and connectivity to deliver those communications. Ensuring your facility’s network is reliable and signals are strong and consistent throughout the facility means critical alerts and messages will get to those who need to receive them as quickly as possible.

5. Strong Wireless Networks Improve Patient Care and Experience

In addition to better communication and care on the staff side, strong wireless networks also improve patient care and experience in other ways. From physical therapy using virtual reality and digital experiences to simply being able to video call loved ones, there are many technologies that improve long-term care.

Patients can use these to maintain and improve their mental health, physical health, and overall well-being. Having good internet access allows residents to stay connected and engage in various activities, like communicating with family and friends, online learning, hobbies, entertainment, and more, which can help them maintain independence, maintain connections and relationships, and more.

All of these elements work together to improve overall well-being and can help improve outcomes. A reliable wireless network with strong connectivity and performance ensures patients have access and that getting that access is not a source of frustration.

6. Compliance Standards Require Reliable and Secure Data

Healthcare facilities are required to follow strict compliance standards and must be in compliance with HIPAA for all patient information and data. Issues with network security, connectivity, and access can be mistakes that lead to HIPAA violations by leaving sensitive health information vulnerable.

This can be one of the risks and challenges of legacy security systems, especially when there is discontinued support or a lack of security updates. In addition to the systems in use, networks in healthcare settings need to support encrypted communication and meet compliance standards. Secure networks and devices, strong cybersecurity processes, and more can all ensure secure and reliable data communication.

7. Wireless Networks Enhance Security Systems and Facility Management

Wireless networks allow facilities to expand, scale, and enhance their security systems and products for a truly comprehensive security solution. Smart security cameras, locks, and more can all benefit from wireless capabilities, strong WiFi signals, and consistent connectivity. Not only does this help create a safe and secure environment, but it also facilitates things like wander management to allow for more independence and freedom for residents within specific zones of the facility.

Additionally, it can help make facility management more efficient as well. Automated lighting, environmental monitoring, inventory management, asset tracking, and more are all functions that can benefit from wireless connectivity. Advanced facility management solutions backed by a network you know you can depend on allow for continuous monitoring and seamless control of various facility functions and operations, which translates into increased staff productivity and efficiency, benefits for residents, cost savings, and more.

6 Benefits of WiFi Surveys For Senior Living Facilities

A WiFi survey evaluates the current state of your facility’s wireless network to test coverage, signal strength, connectivity, and reliability across the facility. Similar to how a building vulnerability assessment can help identify security gaps and vulnerabilities, a WiFi survey can do the same for the networks supporting your systems. Here are a few benefits of WiFi surveys for senior living facilities:

1. Confirm coverage across the entire facility.
2. Determine ideal access point placement.
3. Avoid interference and eliminate dead zones.
4. Ensure high-speed performance for all operations.
5. Upgrade network and security solutions.
6. Deliver maximum Return on Investment (ROI).

1. Confirm Coverage Across the Entire Facility

In healthcare facilities, especially assisted living or senior living facilities and retirement communities, every part of the premises matters. Resident rooms, connecting hallways, visitor areas, common areas, courtyards, storage spaces, staff areas, and more all need to be monitored and have coverage.

WiFi surveys and connectivity testing provide a clear view of coverage across the entire facility. This allows you to confirm that there is wall-to-wall coverage, that there are no dead zones or weak spots, and that any device that requires WiFi will be able to connect and function properly.

2. Determine Ideal Access Point Placement

The right access points (APs) are essential to ensuring proper coverage, determining signal strength, and reducing and preventing interference. WiFi surveys and network testing help determine the optimal placement of access points and the configuration needed for a strong, reliable network. The goal is to determine the ideal access point placement to minimize disruption and maximize efficiency of the network.

3. Avoid Interference and Eliminate Dead Zones

Network connectivity and reliability depend on coverage and signal strength, but they can be negatively impacted by various types of interference. For WiFi networks, interference can be caused by:

• Faulty network components
• Power outages or weakened electrical infrastructure
• Competing electronic equipment
• Overlapping channels in neighboring access points or networks
• Physical barriers, like concrete, brick, or stone walls, water, metal objects, mirrors, etc.

A WiFi survey, along with connectivity and network testing, identifies instances of interference, dead zones, weak signal areas, and other issues. Better access point placement, additional access points, signal boosters, and more can strengthen signals, eliminate dead zones, and reduce interference for a stable, consistent, and reliable signal throughout your senior living facility.

4. Ensure High-Speed Performance For All Operations

Senior living facilities have a lot going on, and their networks need to be able to support it all efficiently. Network testing and improvements ensure your wireless network has the bandwidth to support everything with the highest possible throughput. The goal is reliable and consistent high-speed performance for all necessary operations without lag or bottlenecks.

5. Upgrade Network and Security Solutions

WiFi surveys are essential diagnostic tools for modern facilities. The information provided allows you and your security systems integrator to identify areas for improvement and make the necessary changes to ensure your facility’s network is what it needs to be for your operations. You can also plan for future needs to future-proof your network and ensure it is scalable and adaptable to suit your current and future needs.

This is why one of the benefits of WiFi surveys is being able to upgrade network and security solutions. Comprehensive facility security and resident safety rely on a strong, reliable network that can keep up with your needs and is designed to support evolving security technology, in addition to smart building technologies for more efficient facility management and other systems.

6. Deliver Maximum Return on Investment (ROI)

Strong, reliable wireless infrastructure is an investment and can be a significant expense that should be considered during security budget planning and overall facility management. WiFi surveys, network and connectivity testing, and making the improvements that are identified help deliver a maximum return on investment for your wireless infrastructure, while reducing infrastructure costs by preventing overspending on unnecessary hardware.

Also, the benefits go far beyond ROI and the cost savings associated with cost avoidance. Strong, reliable wireless infrastructure in senior living facilities can improve staff efficiency and response times, increase patient safety and satisfaction, and help facilitate better outcomes overall.

Use Connectivity and Network Testing to Improve Security and Communications

These are a few reasons why senior living facilities need strong wireless networks, and how WiFi surveys and network testing can provide benefits. These are also key considerations for installing life safety systems in senior living facilities and other healthcare facilities. Senior living, assisted living, and healthcare facilities can use connectivity and network testing to improve security, communications, and patient care.

Including a WiFi survey and network evaluation in your security system reviews and testing ensures your network remains reliable and stays connected when you need it most. When you need to improve the security and connectivity of your facility for a comprehensive senior living security solution, contact NEPPS at 1-800-736-1456.