The Invisible Network That's Saving Lives

A hospital in Finland has become the first in Europe to implement a standalone 5G network to connect all devices and personnel.

Oulu University Hospital engaged Nokia and Boldyn Networks for the network, which enables uninterrupted data flow and connectivity even in the event of a power outage

The Hola 5G Oulu project ensures a high-performance network infrastructure by utilizing Nokia Modular Private Wireless (MPW), deployed by Boldyn.

Private 5G has empowered Oulu University Hospital to introduce a new generation of healthcare devices, such as:

• Wireless wearable technologies for patient wards. With Wicoar HealthVision (smart glasses with augmented technologies), doctors and nurses will have instant visual access to critical patient data, enabling faster diagnoses and informed treatment decisions
• Mobile app software for quick and reliable communication. Wicoar HealthAudio provides doctors and nurses with a reliable platform for swift communication
• Wireless wearable technologies for surgical theatres. During surgeries, surgeons can wear Wicoar HealthVision glasses to maintain constant visual access to patients’ vital signs.

“The network going live is a major milestone for us, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see our vision taking shape,” said Jani Katisko, associate professor and medical physicist at Oulu University Hospital.

“It opens a world of possibilities for improving patient care. This advancement means that doctors and nurses can have instant access to critical information on their devices, maintaining connectivity as they move throughout the hospital. This not only maximizes efficiency but also significantly improves the quality of care provided to patients.”

Professor Katisko said that wireless smart glasses can revolutionize data visualization, providing real-time insights into patient needs. “This is just the beginning.”

“We are excited to see the research and development of even more innovative use cases in the future, such as robotic medicine delivery, AI-assisted medical imaging analysis, and virtual remote training and assistance,” he continued.

The short-term goal is to establish a private 5G network and develop wireless wearable technologies in selected areas of Oulu University Hospital.

This includes rigorously testing network and wearable usability to ensure streamlined workflows and ensuring smooth integration into the hospital environment.

Long term, the goal is to expand the network to cover the entire hospital, enhancing patient care and operational efficiency, and serve as a model for other hospitals globally.

Oulu also wants to act as a technological hub for researching and turning futuristic innovation into reality and transforming healthcare operations.

Image credit: iStockphoto/gorodenkoff