Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
radio signals within the hospital environment. To
go one step further, installing amateur radios in
a secure location within the building will speed
up the process of getting communications up and
running when they are needed. It takes time to
bring in equipment, set it up, test it, and then start
operations.
It is important that radio operators be given
regular access to the installed radio equipment.
They need to be familiar with the operation
of it, and also to verify that it is operational
when needed. There have been frequent instances
where roofers have taken down antennas, or
someone has cut the coaxial feed-line, or the radios
become inoperable for some other reason. Without
regular testing, they might not be available when
really needed. Additionally, it is beneficial for
the radio operators to train and interact with the
hospital staff, so that they become comfortable
with the hospital environment. Incorporating radio
operators into the twice-yearly required disaster
exercises familiarizes both sides with how each
functions in an event.
In the event of a switchboard or power failure
situation, internal communications can be carried
out within the hospital campus, using portable
radios between departments or floors. The UHF
band usually works best because of the wave-
length and penetration characteristics. This usage
can be combined with external-to-the-hospital
communications, using the amateur radio antenna
installed on the roof. If this were a localized emer-
gency, the outside antenna could be used to stay in
contact with public safety or other hospitals, and
the portables could be used to communicate and
coordinate between hospital departments. There
are a few areas of the buildings where radio waves
do not penetrate well, such as shielded radiology
suites, basement areas, etc., but for a limited time
this support should be adequate.
Amateur radio is not limited to purely voice
transmission. There are a number of digital forms
of communications that allow the conversion
of computer digital information to radio analog
signals which can be sent over the airwaves, and
then converted back to computer format at the
receiving end. This facilitates the sending of large
amounts of data, such as lists of supplies, damage
assessment reports, or even E-mail. In the near
future, higher transmission speeds and bandwidth
will allow pictures, maps, and the like.
Additionally, there is another protocol that incor-
porates the use of Amateur television to send live
video feeds from the field, such as a mass-casualty
incident, back to the hospital or emergency oper-
ations center. While not used widely as yet, this
format has tremendous potential for keeping the
emergency managers or Emergency Department
personnel apprised of what the scene looks like. It
also has the capability of providing damage assess-
ment information via either portable cameras in so-
called windshield surveys, or through fixed camera
sites in key areas.
17.6 Hospital Disaster Plan
Make sure that the hospital's Disaster Plan
incorporates using Amateur Radio for back-up
communications; and that there is a slot on the
Organization chart for Communications (which
is different than the Liaison-Public Information
Officer position.) Often, the technical commu-
nications position falls under Logistics, but not
always. Also make sure that you invite the volun-
teers to practice and train with the hospital when
it conducts drills and exercises. The ham radio
person should have a vest, and a Job Action Sheet,
like every other member in the HEICS plan of
action.
For further information, an excellent hand-
book called “Amateur Radio: A Communications
Resource for Hospital Emergencies,” written by
April Moell, WA6OPS, published in 1996, is avail-
able from the author [11].
17.7 Summary and Conclusions
Hospitals depend on reliable and redundant
communications to provide safe and effective
healthcare to patients. Most of the time, wired and
wireless telephone systems provide the majority
of the communication “transactions”; and some
use of public safety or commercial radio systems
are used to augment this. Treatment orders, tests,
