Increasing use of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers has prompted the health care industry to invest more in its Wi-Fi infrastructure, according to a new report from ABI Research, Fierce Broadband Wireless reports (Luna, Fierce Broadband Wireless, 8/16).
Current Wi-Fi Use in Health Care
Wi-Fi is being used in the industry to:
Support verbal communication and real-time location technology;
Track hand washing and other personal hygiene practices in hospitals;
Enable mobile health monitoring through medical body area networks; and
Support devices that manage chronic conditions and track fitness goals.
Major vendors developing Wi-Fi infrastructure for the health industry include:
According to the report, the health care Wi-Fi market will grow into a $1.3 billion industry in the next five years as more consumer devices connect to Wi-Fi networks.
Jonathan Collins, an ABI analyst, said, “Wi-Fi has established itself as a key infrastructure technology within health care operations in North America and is continuing to expand uptake elsewhere.”
He noted that the number of smartphones and other devices connected to Wi-Fi networks in the health care sector will increase by nearly 20% this year (Fierce Broadband Wireless, 8/16).
