Doctor Offers Nips, Tucks and WiFi

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2004/01/12/story5.html' target='_blank'>http://southflorida.bizjournals.com.../12/story5.html</a><br /><br /></div>"Most physicians' offices have magazines and newspapers for patients to read to pass the time. The Boca Raton office of Dr. Jonathan Berman takes it to a new level. He offers a free, in-office WiFi service. Patients who bring their laptop computers and PDAs with them can surf the Web; write, read or answer e-mail; and send or receive instant messages."<br /><br />I think this is a great idea! Many is the time I wished I had WiFi access as I was sitting in a waiting room...

[ctmagnus]

:way to go:

All Interior Health (http://www.interiorhealth.ca/default.htm) facilities (afaik) have WiFi but not for their patients' use. It's a step in the right direction, at least.

[gorkon280]

This is a good idea. Just make sure you keep patient records on a separate network not otherwise connected to the WiFi AP. Remember the new HIPPA laws (in the US...).

[Jeff Rutledge]

I wonder if they'll see more patients coming in early. I could see some folks leaving a little earlier than they normally would, thinking "that's OK if I'm an hour early...I can catch up on my messages..."

[David Prahl]

There was an article in my local newspaper a week ago about the hotspots in our hospitals. A few months ago I was war-driving and found that at least one of them uses WEP.

Just checking - are these hotspots are completely separate from the hospital's network? Someone couldn't hack in and get to patient data, right?

[Dr. Grabow]

That warranted an article? I've had that in my office for almost a year now. I've got 802.11b internet access to anyone in my waiting area and I also have a Belkin bluetooth access point for anyone who just wants to use their PDA ...

[David Prahl]

Just so they have an IT staff member who knows the ABCs of WEP!

I was waiting in my car in a parking lot and connected to an eye clinic's wireless network from a few hundred yards away. Did they have encryption? Yes, but the SSID was their WEP key. :roll:

[JustinGTP]

Hey Jason, know of anyone with WiFi in their doctors office in Calgary?

I might just need to go along to my families doctors appointments more often :D

-Justin.

[Jonathon Watkins]

That warranted an article?

Seems fair enough to me. The more 'wired' society is, the easier it is to remain connected. I find it interesing to see where 'mainstream' wifi keeps popping up. Keep it coming! 8)