Brownwood Regional Medical Center Now Offers Wireless Internet Access to Patients and Visitors

(Brownwood, Texas) - Brownwood Regional Medical Center has recently installed a new wireless data network. One of the greatest benefits of the wireless data network is the availability of wireless (or WiFi) Internet access for patients and visitors.

Many of Brownwood Regional Medical Center’s patients, especially those who are in the hospital for an extended length of time, request Internet access to keep up with personal business, stay in touch with families via e-mail and maintain a sense of normalcy.

“We have received many requests over the past couple of years from patients requesting wireless Internet access,” said Paul Ferguson, Information Services director at Brownwood Regional Medical Center, “We expect this to be a popular service and a good way to enhance the overall patient experience.”

Brownwood Regional Medical Center has three user friendly WiFi zones. The main lobby waiting area, the centrally located television lobby waiting area and the hospital’s surgery waiting areas. All have unrestricted internet use for individuals having compatible computers. In addition to the WiFi, there is a kiosk in the television lobby for those who do not have a computer with them.

“Anything we can do to help patients pass the time, feel less isolated and more connected, enhances their sense of well-being and cannot help but positively affect their outcome,” said Ferguson.

The new networks have the highest security standards and are separate from the hospital network. In no way will guest users be able to access the hospital data network, hospital information systems or confidential patient information.

A team from Brownwood Regional Medical Center’s Information Systems worked to select, design and install the wireless network.