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GuestNet offers free wireless connection to NUMC patients, visitorsWe are a society that likes to keep in touch. We are constantly connected by phone, e-mail, text-messaging or the internet. At a time when we may need the support and communication with family and loved ones the most, when we are spending time in the hospital, either on our own or with a loved one. New Ulm Medical Center recently introduced another way to keep those lines of communication open with GuestNet – free wireless high-speed internet access. Patients and visitors may bring their own wireless-ready laptop from home to connect to GuestNet. They are also responsible for configuring the 802.11b radio on that computer so that it can participate on Allina’s wireless network. “Most of the time, people aren’t here for a long time and they want to get information out to friends and family as soon as possible,” said Kathleen Bauer, manager of the automated medical record Excellian at NUMC. It was with the installation of Excellian (the electronic medical record) last year that the building had to be upgraded for wireless internet and therefore NUMC was also able to offer GuestNet. “If you have a baby, you can send pictures out to family and friends right away using GuestNet,” Bauer said. Another example of a good time to use GuestNet is when waiting in the surgery waiting room for the results of a family member’s surgery. GuestNet provides the opportunity for immediate communication to others waiting to hear about the family member’s condition. “We are a society that likes instant communication and this is a way to maintain that,” Bauer said. The GuestNet connection works with any Wi-Fi enabled computer throughout the hospital, including patient rooms and visitor waiting areas. In order to log on, users will need the GuestNet username and password. Instructions for using the wireless network are found in the GuestNet brochure that is available throughout the building in locations such as the Emergency Department registration desk, the hospital front desk, clinic front desk, physical medicine, same day surgery waiting room, and the visitor lounge on the inpatient unit. Guests using the wireless connection are cautioned that their use of the wireless network is at their own risk. As with most public wireless hot spots, the hospital’s wireless connection is not secure. There can be non-trustworthy third parties between the user and anybody with whom the user communicates. Any information being sent or received could potentially be intercepted by another wireless user. |
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New Ulm Medical Center
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