A new pandemic creates a healthcare crisis, which can easily overrun a medical system’s capacity. From the seasonal flu epidemics to the onset of the global spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), hospitals around the world are now facing their own crisis—running out of emergency medical space and not enough patient beds to care for the seriously ill. The clock can become ticking ever so quickly; to act fast for every minute counts as the health of many can be at risk.
Addressing the demand for emergency care requires several vital components, including the following:
Temporary Shelters
Different locations will often use what is available to urgently meet the demand. From state fairgrounds, convention centers, recently vacated buildings, schools, and recreation centers to setting up emergency medical tents and inflatable hospital shelters right outside of a medical facility or within a short distance.
Communication Network
If faced with setting up a pop-up triage or a mobile hospital surge unit, you will also need to extend your data network to the temporary facility and fast. The remote emergency tent will need:
- Connectivity for VoIP telephones.
- Computer connectivity for admissions, medical records, and prescriptions.
- Provide connectivity for diagnostic imaging, like MRIs, X-Rays, and CT scans.
- Ability to keep track of and locate equipment using AeroScout asset tags.
- Private Wi-Fi for hospital personnel for connectivity to tablets, laptops, and phones.
- And lastly and just as important, the network needs to be secure.
Network Deployment Options
One, running cables everywhere to every device but that creates a safety hazard as well as not providing Wi-Fi access for hospital personnel. Two, installing Wi-Fi access points everywhere to create the connectivity, but they still require cables once again adding a safety hazard. Or three, deploying a Kinetic Mesh® network that provides wireless backhaul and Wi-Fi access eliminating all cables and providing the connectivity required.
Pictured above: An illustration of the Rajant Kinetic Mesh Network deployed, wirelessly connecting a hospital with a pop-up triage tent.
The Answer: Rajant Kinetic Mesh Network
Rajant was born as a direct result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in NYC, and for the next two decades, Rajant has been the solution of choice globally for military, mining, ports, rail, governments, oil and gas, sports, and more, including the national defense. Even when the U.S. government solicited proposals for an emergency response network that could operate remotely, be easily transportable, rapidly deployable, self-healing, and highly secure—they chose Rajant. Here’s why.
Unique Technology
Rajant was built from the ground up to support secure, mobile, rapid deployment. Our proprietary protocol, InstaMesh®, allows multi-radio nodes, known as BreadCrumbs®, to automatically make redundant connections with other nodes. This invisible mesh provides the backbone for unmatched reliability. The BreadCrumbs adhere to open standards when communicating with third-party devices via Wi-Fi and wired Ethernet connections. All BreadCrumbs have one or more Ethernet ports, which allow you to connect IP telephones, computers, or intelligent medical equipment. BreadCrumbs also act as Wi-Fi Access Points providing Wi-Fi connectivity on both 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies.
Fast and Simple Deployment
BreadCrumbs are intelligent devices that manage their own routing. This dramatically simplifies deployment, because you can place a BreadCrumb where network coverage is needed and they automatically connect to other BreadCrumbs and find the fastest path back to the wired LAN. When you assemble a grouping of Rajant BreadCrumbs, they self-form a Layer 2 IP network so the network port on a BreadCrumb will work exactly like any network port in any room of your hospital. Plug in a device, and it will get an IP address and begin communicating.
High Performance
A Rajant Kinetic Mesh network is a full-duplex network, where each radio transceiver within a BreadCrumb node can operate independently and simultaneously. This allows Rajant networks to make multi-hop transmissions with no loss of throughput.
Mil-spec Security
Rajant is the only wireless network manufacturer with a certification from the U.S. government for its highest level of encryption, so rest assured your data is secure.
Emergency Response Rapid Deployment Kit
Deployment of a private wireless network for mobile field hospitals and inflatable emergency shelters include the following:
Infrastructure
- Rajant ES1-2450R BreadCrumbs with integrated antennas.
- Power Over Ethernet (PoE) injectors (these require 120/240-volt AC power).
- Pop-up self-supporting tripods.
Crash Cart/Med Equipment Connectivity
- Rajant JR3-52 BreadCrumbs with integrated antenna.
- Power cables.
Deployment Guide
- Documents on how to deploy and configure an instant Rajant Kinetic Mesh Network.
- 24×7 toll-free number for support.
Whenever faced with the complexities of setting up pop-up triage tents or an extension of care, Rajant can quickly provide the responsive network to enable rapid deployment of emergency care communications, critically needed to maintain broadband connectivity during a time of crisis.