Cleveland Clinic’s Pioneering 5G Hospital Revolutionizes Healthcare
Cleveland Clinic, the renowned healthcare system based in Ohio, has unveiled its groundbreaking 5G hospital, revolutionizing the healthcare industry. The Cleveland Clinic Mentor Hospital, located in Mentor, Ohio, is the first hospital in the United States to be built with its own private 5G network, setting it apart from other medical facilities in the country.
The implementation of 5G technology is expected to transform how technology is utilized in healthcare due to its incredible capabilities. 5G networks are known for their exceptional speed, reliability, security, and ability to transmit vast amounts of data. While other hospitals have been upgraded to support 5G capabilities, Mentor Hospital stands out as the first in the US to have 5G integrated from the very beginning.
Shibu Thomas, Chief Technology Officer of Cleveland Clinic, anticipates that this type of hospital will become the industry standard in the country. While other 5G hospitals exist in countries like China, South Korea, Thailand, Israel, and the UK, Cleveland Clinic’s Mentor Hospital is leading the charge in the US.
Thomas stated, 5G really enables new and innovative capabilities because it’s more reliable with greater speed and reduced latency. As a result, the hospital has begun implementing various 5G-enabled features. In the coming months, patients can expect to benefit from augmented patient check-in kiosks, digital monitoring, and infotainment systems that provide real-time information about care, hospital amenities, and entertainment options.
The high-speed download, minimal latency, and increased bandwidth offered by 5G present new possibilities, especially in the realm of the Internet of Things (IoT). Within a healthcare setting, this can include smartphones, tablets, sensors, and wearables. The seamless connectivity between these devices facilitated by 5G is expected to streamline hospital workflows, ultimately ensuring quality patient care.
Additionally, Cleveland Clinic foresees the 5G network supporting the transmission of medical imaging and test results. Thomas expressed his hope that within a year or two, the hospital will be utilizing more advanced 5G-enabled technologies such as augmented and virtual reality clinician training.
Beyond the Mentor Hospital, 5G technology has already paved the way for remote surgeries, and there is speculation that it will lead to a rise in robotic surgeries as well.
According to a peer-reviewed paper published in the journal Intelligent Pharmacy, a 5G connection can significantly enhance the capacity of the healthcare industry to provide patients with continuous care. The paper’s authors suggested that it has the potential to create a virtual healthcare facility where doctors can perform operations remotely.
One of the most exciting aspects of 5G technology for Shibu Thomas is its yet-to-be-fully-realized potential. He believes that it’s going to enable possibilities we are not even thinking about today. Thomas compares the impact of 5G to other technologies that, once implemented, become indispensable.
This is going to be one of those technologies. Today, we aren’t super clear on all the exact ways we can use 5G, but one day, we won’t be able to imagine implementing a new technology or opening a new building without 5G in place.
The Cleveland Clinic’s pioneering 5G hospital marks a significant step forward in healthcare technology. With its ability to improve connectivity, speed, and data transmission, 5G promises to unlock countless possibilities in the field of healthcare. As the Mentor Hospital continues to embrace 5G-enabled innovations, it sets a precedent for the future of healthcare facilities in the United States and beyond.
