HEALTHCARE organisations are faced with the challenge of patients being accustomed to highly-evolved media solutions at home, work and in hotels, creating expectations much higher than ever before. As such, there is increased pressure on hospitals and trusts to deliver high-quality TV, radio and internet services to patients – and for it to be delivered it in a cost-effective, flexible and reliable way.
Healthcare organisations are faced with the challenge of patients being accustomed to highly-evolved media solutions at home, work and in hotels, creating expectations much higher than ever before
Traditionally, TV, video and other types of content within the NHS have been distributed throughout hospital or clinic buildings using analogue cabling, which gives trusts few opportunities to offer additional services. Often picture quality is also poor as analogue systems are prone to electrical interference and signal loss, limiting the distance the TV signal can be transmitted and how many TVs it can reach. More importantly, the system requires its own set of cables, which increases the burden on hospital maintenance teams and, therefore, the cost, both of the initial installation and of maintenance and repair.
With the digital switchover well underway, the NHS is required to update its current TV systems in order to continue receiving terrestrial services – an investment that can’t be avoided. However, this switch from traditional TV systems shouldn’t be seen as an inconvenience and wasted financial outlay. It should be viewed as an opportunity to simultaneously deliver an improved experience for patients and visitors, helping to meet their growing needs and expectations, and to potentially introduce new income-generating services.
Organisational IPTV, also known as Building IPTV, presents a cost-effective option for hospitals and trusts. Put simply, it uses an organisation’s existing local-area IP network (LAN) to digitally distribute both TV and video throughout a building, campus or even across multiple sites. Due to its digital nature, IPTV can supply an unlimited number of high-definition channels with picture quality equal, or better, than that of the home experience. It can also be delivered to an unlimited number of patients, staff, and public areas simultaneously. Furthermore, as it runs over an existing IP network, it eliminates the need for a separate, hard-to-maintain analogue cabling system, which in turn reduces cost.
With the digital switchover well underway, the NHS is required to update its current TV systems in order to continue receiving terrestrial services – an investment that can’t be avoided
By utilising a hospital’s IP network, healthcare providers can deliver all of the services that patients are increasingly coming to expect throughout their stay in hospital – TV and video with a good range of channels, phone, internet and email access. With IPTV, Freeview and satellite TV can be delivered to patient rooms and shared areas, as well as premium channels, which can be offered as an additional service to drive hospital revenue.
In addition, patient and visitor information, as well as announcements of scheduled events, can be displayed in waiting rooms, lobbies and other public areas through integrated digital signage. For example, information such as handwash or infection control videos can be displayed around the hospital to encourage the cleanliness message that trusts are promoting, with displays able to be enhanced with live TV or recorded video. The flexibility of Building IPTV allows information to be displayed and updated in real time, and can be controlled from one central point, which is ideal for efficient management, especially in larger hospitals.
By utilising a hospital’s IP network, healthcare providers can deliver all of the services that patients are increasingly coming to expect throughout their stay in hospital – TV and video with a good range of channels, phone, internet and email access
The benefits of building IPTV also extend beyond enhancing the patient and visitor experience. Staff can utilise the system to improve processes and reduce workloads. For example, video patient monitoring can be integrated with the medical team’s PC terminals to increase the number of patients they can monitor and therefore improve response times.
There are also huge benefits for staff training. Hospitals can stream procedures live across their LANs to enable doctors and students to observe in real time. By archiving this footage, a library of content can be created and accessed on demand to ensure all staff receive consistent training and are kept up-to-date with the latest guidance on medical procedures. It also provides an extra layer of protection for any legal issues resulting from procedures in the hospital.
IPTV presents a substantial opportunity for healthcare providers to ensure they are able to meet the ever-growing need to improve the patient experience while developing staff facilities and generating new revenue streams, all from the same solution
An increasing number of NHS trusts have already embraced IPTV and are reaping its benefits. Through careful and thorough planning, these organisations have made substantial contributions to an improved health service, enhancing the hospital experience for both patients and staff alike. IPTV presents a substantial opportunity for healthcare providers to ensure they are able to meet the ever-growing need to improve the patient experience while developing staff facilities and generating new revenue streams, all from the same solution.