In a major step towards modernising healthcare delivery, Korea University Medicine (KUM) has rolled out a powerful new wireless infrastructure across all three of its hospital campuses in the Seoul Metropolitan area. This ambitious year-long project, completed in partnership with Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise (ALE) and BIN Solutions, promises not just better connectivity, but a full transformation into a smart hospital environment.
With medical tech and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices growing rapidly, KUM had been facing serious issues with slow networks, connection dead zones, and overloaded systems. These challenges weren’t just annoying—they were hindering staff from accessing vital patient data and delivering fast, accurate care.
The new solution, powered by ALE’s OmniAccess® Stellar WLAN and managed via OmniVista®, changes the game entirely. By ditching the old, centralised controller model in favour of a distributed, controller-less architecture, KUM now enjoys a more resilient and scalable network. This setup enhances operational productivity by roughly 20%—a huge leap for any healthcare institution.
Here’s what this means in real-world terms:
Speed and Reliability: Data processing is now over 50% faster. That means critical medical systems, like Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS), run smoother and faster—crucial in emergency situations.
Better Patient Care: Staff can roam freely across the hospital with connected devices, ensuring they never lose access to patient records or communication tools. Smart devices even automate routine monitoring, easing nurses’ workloads.
Lower Costs, Higher Efficiency: Without the need for extra scanning antennas for IoMT devices, KUM slashed deployment costs by 50%. The more reliable system also means less downtime, letting staff focus on what really matters—patient well-being.
Future-Proofing: The infrastructure is ready for even more innovation. With built-in support for Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS), the hospital can track medical equipment and optimise resource use—another key ingredient for smart hospital design.
“Our partnership with ALE and BIN Solutions has turned our network from a bottleneck into a platform for innovation,” said Yoon Ju Sung, Head of Digital Transformation at KUM.
This upgrade is more than just a tech overhaul—it’s a solid step towards better healthcare outcomes through digital transformation. With cutting-edge wireless performance and airtight security measures, Korea University Medicine is now well-positioned to lead in the next era of healthcare.
Image: Korea University Medicine