In this industry focus, let’s examine how important building automation is for maintaining peak performance of healthcare centers and how a modern OT network makes possible safety, patient comfort, and regulatory compliance, while also enhancing energy efficiency and emergency preparedness.
Healthcare Issues Aren’t a 9-5 Problem
Healthcare facilities need to operate beyond the bounds of normal buildings. They are ground zero in emergency situations and must be at full operations even when disaster strikes. A healthcare system needs to be able to respond to emergencies at any scale, at any time. The people, the equipment, and the medicine all need to be accessible. Building automation has become essential in healthcare to maintain those conditions, and the OT networks that power those services need to be second to none.
And while the estimated cost of unscheduled downtime in healthcare facilities is estimated at $7,900/minute—that figure does not begin to capture the potential cost to human health.
What Role Does an OT Network Have in Healthcare?
HVAC Monitoring and Control
Healthcare facilities are notorious for their high needs for heating and cooling. In simple terms, OT networks provide the information flow from hundreds, maybe even thousands, of devices to the central Building Automation System (BAS) used to monitor and control HVAC systems, which are vital for maintaining indoor air quality and preventing the spread of infections. For example, temperature and humidity sensors continuously feed real-time data into the network, allowing granular adjustments that not only optimize indoor air quality but also prevent the spread of infections.
Pressure sensors further these conditions by ensuring proper airflow—proper positive airflow for better energy efficiency, but also negative airflow for infection control. In scenarios where maintaining negative pressure is vital—such as in airborne infection isolation rooms (AIIRs)—pressure sensors must verify that each room has pressure different from the areas around it, preventing contaminated air from escaping into other parts of the hospital.
Robust OT networks enable those sensors to relay real-time monitoring values with millisecond response times, which is essential for maintaining proper room pressurization.
Regulatory Compliance
With multiple standards enforced by agencies like the CDC, ASHRAE, and ANSI, healthcare facilities are under constant pressure to document, monitor, and report the performance of their HVAC systems. OT networks support BAS in ensuring that regulations, like required air changes per hour, are consistently achieved and that temperature and humidity remain within precise thresholds. Integrated monitoring of HEPA filters—key components in removing airborne contaminants—demonstrates how these systems converge to uphold stringent infection control protocols.
OT networks can easily be equipped to log every adjustment, sensor calibration, and system response, simplifying the audit process and ensuring that facilities can demonstrate compliance with energy efficiency standards, indoor air quality guidelines, and other regulatory requirements.
Emergency Preparedness
BAS are also crucial to maintaining essential hospital functions during emergencies like power outages or natural disasters. Their ability to automatically adjust critical systems prevents disruptions in patient care and ensures that life-saving equipment remains operational. And it’s the OT network that provides the backbone to keep the building up and running.
For example, during a power outage, a BAS can seamlessly switch to backup power sources, ensuring that critical areas like operating rooms, intensive care units, and emergency departments remain functional. This automatic failover can be lifesaving, as even a brief interruption in power could have catastrophic consequences for patients relying on life support machines or other critical medical equipment. An OT network that can quickly report a failure in power to areas is critical for the BAS to do its job.
Beyond power management, the BAS can also prioritize critical areas by dynamically adjusting HVAC settings to maintain appropriate environmental conditions. This is crucial for areas like pharmacies, where temperature-sensitive medications must be stored within specific ranges, or laboratories, where precise environmental controls are necessary for accurate testing and diagnostics. When a door opens, for instance, the network coordinates rapid responses from exhaust fans, supply air, and room pressure monitors to maintain negative pressure. This complex dance of systems relies on deterministic network performance that only well-designed OT networks can provide.
In the event of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or earthquake, a BAS can also play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of patients and staff. For example, a BAS can automatically initiate lockdown procedures, control access to restricted areas, and activate emergency lighting and communication systems. The OT network is vital to providing the integration of HVAC, fire detection, and security, into a single, comprehensive building management system, improving operational efficiency and response times.
This integrated approach not only streamlines operations but also enhances safety and security for patients, staff, and visitors.
Beyond Emergencies
Healthcare facilities also have non-emergency and human health issues to manage. Like any other large organization, OT networks are used to follow ESG mandates to optimize energy consumption by making adjustments to systems based on real-time data. For example, by optimizing HVAC systems based on real-time data and occupancy patterns, OT networks help the BAS achieve substantial cost savings and a reduced environmental footprint. Additionally, by integrating with renewable energy sources and energy storage systems, BAS can further enhance energy efficiency and sustainability.
Modern OT networks also enable remote monitoring and control of building systems, allowing facility managers to access and manage the BAS from anywhere, at any time. This can be particularly valuable for large healthcare campuses or multi-site healthcare organizations, where centralized management can improve efficiency and reduce staffing costs.
Additionally, remote access allows for rapid and coordinated responses from multiple teams—including onsite staff, as well as outside vendors and system integrators—to issues or emergencies, minimizing downtime and ensuring that critical systems remain operational.
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Healthcare Facilities OT Networks Need OptigoVN
Healthcare facilities rely on robust OT networks to ensure patient safety, uninterrupted care, and seamless operations. With critical systems that require near-perfect uptime, these facilities need proactive maintenance and precise diagnostics to preemptively address potential issues.
In a healthcare setting, downtime can directly impact patient outcomes. OptigoVN offers a state-of-the-art solution designed to keep healthcare networks running smoothly and efficiently.
Key Features of OptigoVN for Healthcare Facilities:
- Proactive Maintenance for Critical Systems. Detects issues early, preventing equipment failures and costly disruptions.
- Comprehensive Network Visibility. Through robust packet inspection diagnostics, get detailed, device-level insights, enabling IT and facilities managers to monitor network performance anytime.
- Real-Time Alerts and Rapid Response. With real-time alerts, OT teams can act swiftly when problems are detected. This immediate response capability is crucial in environments where every second counts.
- Historical Data Analysis for Trend Prediction. By storing and analyzing historical network traffic data, OptigoVN helps identify trends and predict future issues. This trend analysis supports long-term planning, root cause analysis, and preventive maintenance.
- Cloud-Based Accessibility for Multi-Site Management. As a cloud-based solution, OptigoVN offers remote access to network diagnostics and management tools. This is particularly beneficial for healthcare systems with multiple locations, allowing centralized oversight and streamlined operations.
Empower Your Healthcare Facility with OptigoVN
OptigoVN equips healthcare facilities with the tools they need to maintain reliable OT networks, ensuring that critical medical systems perform at their best. Ready to see how OptigoVN can enhance your network’s performance and reliability? Sign up for a free trial or contact us today to schedule a personalized demo and discover the benefits of proactive network monitoring in healthcare.
Frequently Asked Questions: OT Networks in Healthcare
What is an OT network in healthcare?
An Operational Technology (OT) network in healthcare refers to the interconnected systems that control and monitor building operations, such as HVAC, lighting, security, and power management. These networks are crucial for maintaining the physical environment of healthcare facilities.
Why are OT networks important in healthcare?
OT networks are vital for ensuring patient safety, regulatory compliance, energy efficiency, and emergency preparedness. They enable real-time monitoring and control of critical systems, preventing disruptions in care and ensuring a safe and comfortable environment.
How do OT networks support HVAC systems in healthcare facilities?
OT networks facilitate the flow of data from sensors to the Building Automation System (BAS), allowing for precise control of temperature, humidity, and airflow. This helps maintain indoor air quality and prevent the spread of infections.
What role do OT networks play in regulatory compliance?
OT networks support BAS in documenting and monitoring HVAC system performance, ensuring adherence to standards set by agencies like the CDC, ASHRAE, and ANSI. They log adjustments, sensor calibrations, and system responses, simplifying the audit process.
How do OT networks enhance emergency preparedness?
OT networks enable BAS to manage critical systems during emergencies like power outages or natural disasters. They facilitate automatic failover to backup power, prioritize critical areas, and coordinate responses from multiple systems to maintain essential functions.
What are the financial implications of unscheduled downtime in healthcare?
Unscheduled downtime in healthcare facilities is estimated to cost around $7,900 per minute, not including the potential cost to human health.
What is OptigoVN and how does it benefit healthcare facilities?
OptigoVN is a solution designed to enhance the reliability and efficiency of healthcare OT networks. It offers features like proactive maintenance, comprehensive network visibility, real-time alerts, historical data analysis, and cloud-based accessibility for multi-site management.
How does OptigoVN support proactive maintenance?
OptigoVN detects issues early, preventing equipment failures and costly disruptions by providing detailed, device-level insights and monitoring network performance.
What is the advantage of cloud-based accessibility with OptigoVN?
Cloud-based accessibility allows facility managers to remotely access and manage the BAS from anywhere, at any time, which is particularly valuable for large healthcare campuses or multi-site organizations.
How can I learn more about OptigoVN?
You can sign up for a free trial or contact OptigoVN to schedule a personalized demo to discover the benefits of proactive network monitoring in healthcare.
*FAQs are generated with the assistance of generative AI
