| Most likely you have a computerized billing and | | | | kilobits per second, to millions of bits per second. |
| scheduling system in use, whether or not you use | | | | However, actual bandwidth speeds achieved may |
| Electronic Medical Records (EMR) at the moment. | | | | be limited by the hardware used, at times even |
| With more than just a single computer in use in | | | | the software used. In addition, the overall |
| your practice, it's more than likely that you're on | | | | network speed can be greatly reduced as multiple |
| some type of network. When multi-user, | | | | users attempt to access information from the |
| multi-task EMR systems are integrated into the | | | | EMR system. |
| practice, the complexities of capabilities and | | | | A fast connection means little if the network |
| network designs become essential. Although many | | | | speed is slow due to bad planning or |
| practices simply choose to hire an IT consultant | | | | underpowered hardware. Network topology is also |
| or firm to handle these issues, this article will | | | | important. Topology is the physical shape of the |
| cover some of the most common network | | | | network, as in a string of computers which |
| design concepts to consider. | | | | minimize the amount of wiring between them. Still, |
| Networking Basics: WAN, LAN, or MAN | | | | if one part of this network goes down, it could |
| Some EPM/EMR software might be incompatible | | | | take out the whole network. The best topology |
| with system software or network hardware. This | | | | requires more wiring but is resilient to systemwide |
| must be determined before you purchase your | | | | failure from a single weak point. However, the |
| system, and, if you think you'll be adding other | | | | total amount of machines on this type of |
| users, it's often more economical to purchase | | | | network is limited. Large networks use a mesh |
| licenses for multi-users rather than individual retail | | | | topology that offers redundancy and allows for |
| software packages. A Local Area Network (LAN) | | | | better expandability. |
| can connect computers and printers within a | | | | Wires |
| limited area such as an office. This LAN can link in | | | | In an average 'paperless' office setting, an exam |
| with other LANs via wireless or network | | | | room contains computers wired to the server, |
| connectivity. | | | | which runs EMR software. However, some |
| Unfortunately, some EPM / EMR applications may | | | | physicians who are technically-savvy may like to |
| have compatibility issues between network and | | | | enter info into a wireless device, carrying it |
| operating system software. This compatibility | | | | between areas at the practice. The concept of |
| must be assured before going ahead with the | | | | wireless networking adds a new series of points |
| purchase of an EMR package. Additionally, if you | | | | to address. |
| expect you will add new users, it's often more | | | | Signal Strength - We've found that wireless |
| effective to buy a multi-user software license as | | | | access devices gather less-than-promised ranges |
| opposed to individual consumer licenses at a retail | | | | when functioning in a typical office setting with |
| outlet. | | | | many walls. |
| A wide area network (WAN) connects smaller | | | | Bandwidth - Even if your LAN has good bandwidth |
| LANs or Metro Area Networks (MANs). This can | | | | rates, the speed of access can be limited by the |
| be done over a wider geographic area, as in a | | | | speed of your wireless connection. |
| series of remote offices. These WANS are often | | | | Security - Hackers can wreck your network if it |
| used by large companies. The most widely-known | | | | isn't properly protected. Even a basic wireless |
| WAN today is called the Internet. The Internet | | | | access point must have built-in security which can |
| can permit access to a company intranet, where | | | | be enabled easily. |
| employees communicate with each other no | | | | Fat or Thin Clients - Will you use wireless laptops |
| matter where they are located. For an EPM / | | | | that run software directly on a wireless |
| EMR system that runs between satellite offices, a | | | | connection (fat), or will it run software virtually via |
| stable high bandwidth connection is a must in | | | | a remote connection (thin)? Disconnects are |
| order to keep the practice running consistently | | | | simple fact for wireless networks; the thin client |
| and smoothly. | | | | allows the software to continue to run in this |
| Bandwidth and Topology | | | | case, allowing you to pick up where you were |
| The network's bandwidth is the capacity of data | | | | interrupted. A fat client solution what has its |
| that it can carry, usually expressed in bits per | | | | connection broken may cause a subsequent |
| second, or bps. Connection speeds vary from 56 | | | | software crash. |