Healthcare Wi-Fi Standards Recommendations, Codes and Compliances

Wireless demand is growing rapidly in the healthcare sector. Mounting wireless access points requires the same attention to security and aesthetic considerations as all deployments, as well as industry-specific compliance needs to address infection control concerns. Oberon products simplify compliance for mission-critical wireless equipment in healthcare facilities.

According to TIA 1179 Healthcare Facility Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard (Policies and procedures to mitigate Airborne Infectious Disease), once ceiling tiles are closed, adding or changing cabling could jeopardize infection control measures. Restrictions on removing ceiling tiles impacts adds, moves and changes, and they adds significant cost when the need arises to access the ceiling.

Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) states that to eliminate the spread of infectious disease, lifting or removing ceiling tiles requires the installer to use Negative Air Press Enclosure (NAPE) or “tent off” the work area.  Use of a HEPA air filter is generally required for compliance. Implementing recommendations for large-scale moves, adds, and changes becomes both time-consuming and costly.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) compliance requires physically securing the endpoints. This rule sets national standards for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information. It is necessary to physically lock access points for security. 164.301(a)(1) requires network designers to implement policies and procedures to limit physical access to its electronic information systems while ensuring that properly authorized access is allowed.

Simplify Compliance with Secure, Aesthetic enclosures for wireless access points

Oberon’s extensive line of plenum-rated enclosures helps wireless networks simplifies ICRA procedures and HIPPA compliance while reducing future labor costs.

Enclosures seal off the plenum space, eliminating holes in the tile where cables attach to the access point. In addition to the compliance benefits, the enclosure provides a far more pleasing and professional aesthetic.

AP relocation is also made easy as the access point can be reached through a locking door panel while the back-box remains in place, preventing intrusion into the plenum space. When the barrier to the plenum space is not breached for moves, adds, and changes, the space does not need to be “tented off,” reducing labor costs and minimizing interruption to the area.

Lockable doors provide security for mission-critical APs.

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Suspended Ceiling AP Enclosures with Doors
Suspended Ceiling AP Mounts

Your Complete Solution for Access Point Mounts and Enclosures

Healthcare facilities encompass a wide variety of environments, from highly-sensitive medical areas to public waiting areas to parking garages and outdoor plazas. Oberon can help to meet your industry-specific healthcare compliance needs while also providing solutions for mounting wireless access points in each and every environment in your installation.

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