The New Age of High-Tech Hospitals

Information Technology and digitally enabled medicine may be converging onto a single system, but are architects prepared to take the lead with their health-care clients?

September 2007

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By Russell Fortmeyer

Instructions

Read the article "The New Age of High-Tech Hospitals"
Complete the questions below, then fill in your answers .
Fill out and submit the AIA/CES education reporting form in the magazine, securely online, or print the form to receive one AIA learning unit.

Questions:

Program Code: 097EDIT1
LU: 1

1. Recently, operating-room suites have incorporated all except which technologies?
a. voice-over IP systems
b. flat-screen monitors
c. videoconferencing
d. interventional radiology

2. Aside from a higher capacity for transmitting data, the use of fiber-optic cables for hospital technology systems is especially beneficial for which reason?
a. fiber-optic cable is more flexible
b. fiber-optic cable is cheaper
c. fiber-optic cable is more secure
d. fiber-optic cable is stronger

3. Hospitals have pushed for medical systems to go wireless for which reason?
a. to cut down on IT equipment
b. for staff to stay connected while being mobile
c. to eliminate overhead paging
d. to keep better track of the staff

4. The digital transfer of voice between communication devices, antennae, and networks is possible because of which?
a. video input
b. a software that translates the voice data between digital components
c. fiber-optic cables
d. mesh networks

5. The installation of videoconferencing and recording technology will most dramatically affect physicians’ ability to do what in an operating room?
a. digitally record a procedure
b. watch the procedure from a remote location
c. both diagnose and treat patients during a single procedure
d. broadcast the procedure to a patient’s family

6. What has been the biggest hindrance to digital convergence of building- management systems in hospitals?
a. electrical codes
b. proprietary technology
c. lack of leadership from hospitals
d. FCC standards for health care

7. The largest motivating factor for digital convergence of wireless IT systems is which?
a. HMO lobbyists
b. nurses’ unions
c. American Medical Association
d. IEEE Standard 802.11

8. Wired networks will not go away for which reason?
a. their reliability
b. their cost advantage
c. they are the FCC standard
d. IEEE code requires them

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9. What is an advantage of a mesh network?
a. it is currently the industry standard
b. it will eliminate widespread failure because devices are connected in multiple ways
c. it centralizes the majority of IT equipment in dedicated rooms
d. it is a data protocol for a high-energy, low-bandwidth network

10. In the Sidra project, patients will find their way to the appropriate hospital through which method?
a. color-coded arrows on the floor
b. volunteers giving directions
c. handheld GPS devices
d. LCD screens in each lobby

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