ZTE, a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, has announced its collaboration with China Telecom’s Suzhou Branch to deploy an innovative 5G IoT integration network solution at The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University.
This solution represents another significant effort to transform 5G IoT through technological innovations, having won ‘First Prize (Excellent Innovation)’ at the ICT China (2024) Awards. This accolade symbolizes the joint commitment to creating value and driving digital innovation within the medical industry.
The 5G IoT integration network solution facilitates extensive access to Internet of Things (IoT) applications, significantly empowering the sustainable development of mobile healthcare services and driving the Digital Transformation of the medical industry. This cutting-edge solution enables the realization of a unified network that supports both public network services and private network applications, allowing the IoT network to be deployed and integrated smoothly.
Compared to traditional IoT networks, it connects various types of medical devices while reducing the number of required network types, becoming more cost-efficient on upgradation. With over 3,000 terminals to be connected through a simplified network structure, this solution enables efficient management of IoT applications within the hospital. Regarding upgrades, it achieves approximately 80% cost savings and reducing construction time by 90%. For migrating applications from traditional IoT to 5G IoT, the base station replaces IoT gateways, eliminating hardware restrictions and achieving a flatter network architecture, which reduces total cost of ownership (TCO) by 30%.
The healthcare sector is one of the fastest-growing industries globally. In China, the medical system has made significant achievements over the decades. However, medical demand and the complexity of care have increased due to rising incomes, greater health awareness, and an ageing population, leading to inadequate healthcare resources and heavy workloads for medical staff.
Many people face the dilemma of inaccessible high-quality health services. Therefore, developing Digital Transformation is essential for hospitals. However, the network structure within hospitals is complicated, severely affecting the management of medical resources. Traditional network solutions face obstacles, as cables restrict the development of mobile healthcare services, while Wi-Fi presents security risks. Additionally, the complex network structure results in high operations and maintenance costs. Achieving cost reductions and efficiency improvements are critical challenges in the medical industry.
To address these issues, since 2023, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, China Telecom’s Suzhou Branch, and ZTE have collaborated to build a 5G smart hospital. ZTE enables the ‘1+M+X’ model to form a scalable network solution, promoting the evolution of smart hospitals.
The ‘1’ refers to deploying one 5G IoT integration network, which can support multiple (‘M’) smart digital platforms. These platforms integrate information that connects the hospital’s clinical workflows, assets and data, creating a comprehensive management system. The decoupled and open network structure can accommodate an expanding range of innovative scenarios, laying a strong digital foundation for smart hospital operations. By leveraging 5G technology, the hospital has successfully facilitated core application scenarios, including smart emergency services, smart inpatient treatment, and smart elderly care, with ample (‘X’) access to innovative applications.
During emergencies, consistent and seamless 5G signals guarantee reliable and continuous real-time vital signs monitoring when transferring patients. With 5G smartphones replacing medical PDAs (Portable Device Assistants), the all-in-one functionality enhances the efficiency of emergency care for medical staff.
For in-patient treatment, the 5G-Round vehicle facilitates real-time imaging diagnostics near patient beds. Doctors can load PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) images in two to three seconds, shortening the time needed for more precise diagnostics and informed decision-making. The smart digital platform enables cross-departmental shared monitors, allowing for more dynamic resource allocation across different wards and departments, saving patient monitors by 15%. Additionally, the intelligent infusion assists nurses with remote tracking, promoting efficient care delivery.
These innovations in mobile healthcare services significantly improve the work efficiency of medical staffs and enhance patient outcomes. Moreover, the 5G IoT integrated network solution is scalable to new scenarios, facilitating the integration of diagnostic and elderly care services and empowering smart healthcare solutions for seniors, thus shaping the future of healthy ageing.
Moving forward, ZTE will remain committed to advancing the integration of 5G technology into the development of digital society, collaborating with The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, and China Telecom’s Suzhou Branch to further improve the working environment for medical staff, making high-quality healthcare affordable and accessible. These innovations fully realize the benefits of a connected and intelligent hospital, promising a future where quality healthcare is efficient and tailored to all.