Verizon, a global leader in telecommunications and one of the pioneers of 5G technology, is setting the trend to redefining patient care in the medical industry. Verizon has announced its creative partnership with the new Cleveland Clinic Hospital in Mentor, Ohio to deploy a state of the art private 5G network system to enhance patient care and hospital operations with the expected launch date to come into effect in July 2023.
“By harnessing the speed, low latency and massive device connectivity of our 5G network, we are aiming to revolutionise healthcare delivery,” said Roger Gurnani, Executive Vice President and President of Verizon’s Global Network & Technology. “This partnership signifies a landmark step in our commitment to support the healthcare industry and unlock the full potential of 5G in medical care.”
As the world adapts to the increasing digitization of society in all domains, the deployment of Verizon’s 5G network at the Cleveland Clinic hospital will offer unparalleled opportunities and increasing reliable connectivity amidst the medical industry. The integration of 5G into the hospital’s infrastructure is expected to;
- Digital Patient Check in Systems
- Enhanced Digital Displays
- In room entertainment services for patients
- Asset Tracking of Medical Supplies
- Advanced Telemedicine Services
- Advanced Imagery: enabling quicker diagnosis and treatment plans.
- Data Storage and transmission between healthcare professionals
While the potential benefits are immense, Verizon acknowledges that deploying 5G in a healthcare environment, lays unprecedented challenges. Network security, maintaining patient privacy, and ensuring uninterrupted service are top priorities.
“Protecting patient data is of paramount importance,” stated Gurnani. “We are actively working to build robust security measures into our 5G network to ensure the privacy and safety of all users.”
The Cleveland hospital is the first of many healthcare facilities Verizon plans to equip with 5G, as part of its broader vision for the future of healthcare delivery. The company aims to leverage the power of 5G to support advanced applications such as AI and machine learning in diagnostics, augmented and virtual reality in medical training, and remote robotic surgery.
While the company has yet to share specific performance statistics from the Cleveland hospital deployment, the promise of 5G in healthcare is compelling. A study from IHS Markit projects that 5G-enabled healthcare will generate $76 billion in sales by 2026 globally.
As the world continues to grapple with healthcare challenges, from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to the broader need for improved care delivery, this partnership between Verizon and the Cleveland hospital offers a glimpse into the future of healthcare—one that is digitally enabled, more responsive, and ultimately more effective. The question remains: How will other hospitals and healthcare providers respond to the call of 5G-enabled care?
