US rural hospitals

happy with fibre – for now

SCENARIOS

Research conducted by HIMSS Analytics for Spectrum Enterprise, the enterprise arm of Charter Communications, indicates that rural healthcare facilities are satisfied with the current state of network IT connectivity, but might not be prepared for future requirements.

Bryan Fiekers

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH SERVICES AT HIMSS ANALYTICS

The study showed that, generally speaking, rural providers feel adequately prepared to address areas such as patient satisfaction and telemedicine. Reliable network connectivity allows rural providers to leverage technology initiatives that increase patient access to care, with the potential to improve patient outcomes. Four of five respondents (79 percent) indicated they are satisfied with their current network connectivity. However, as new technologies continue to emerge, respondents feel less sure about the adequacy of their connectivity to support new initiatives. They feel less prepared to address emerging initiatives such as analytics, population health and precision medicine.

 

As healthcare evolves, virtual access (connectivity) is becoming increasingly important. Almost two out of three respondents (59 percent) agreed that broadband connectivity is an important social determinant of health. “We are asking hospitals to do more and more, and data needs are changing all of the time,” said Bryan Fiekers, Senior Director of Research Services at HIMSS Analytics. Two-thirds of respondents (67 percent) identified ‘budget availability’ as the greatest barrier for their organisation to enhancing current processes, adopting new models of care and applying new care delivery models.

 

Providers were also asked about the obstacles that needed to be overcome in order to move to fibre network connectivity. The majority (73 percent) gave ‘implementation cost’ as the primary barrier, followed by ‘lack of services available in the area’ (57 percent). More than half (60 percent) of respondents had financed connectivity improvements with support from the Universal Services Administrative Company’s Rural Healthcare (RHC) Program. Looking at rural USA broadband connectivity figures from the FCC, some 59 percent of fixed broadband customers have internet provided by the local cable company, whereas 29 percent only have access to Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service. 10 percent of all Americans lack access to 25 Mbps/3 Mbps service, but 39 percent of rural Americans (23 million people) lack access to 25 Mbps/3 Mbps.

 

© Copyright Prysmian Group.

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© Copyright Prysmian Group.

All rights reserved.