Philips Medical Systems Stations Rely on AirLink® Gateways to Remotely Manage Medical Systems

Philips’ Mobile Enterprise, in collaboration with partner Astral Communications, developed a wireless-specific solution to complement their existing proprietary remote monitoring solution. Further, Astral Communications, an advanced communications systems provider, is continuing to work with Philips to develop a wireless telemetry solution using the Sierra Wireless AirLink communications gateway.

The wireless solution is helping Philips to improve efficiencies and patient care in many ways. Historically, Philips’ engineers have been able to connect to a secure remote services network to diagnose system “wellness” of diagnostic imaging systems. However, this has not been the case for their mobile imaging centers, to which service technicians had no remote access. Since deploying the AirLink gateways, engineers can monitor and maintain these mobile imaging centers in near real-time. This not only allows the techs at the call center to troubleshoot and fix imaging equipment remotely, but it significantly decreases the frequency and duration of trips required by field service engineers to complete on-site repairs. The gateways’ persistent network connectivity provides extensive remote management and configuration capabilities, enabling Philips to monitor and control their network of mobile devices from one central location. For instance, Philips was able to solve the issue of continually re-setting a troublesome router by controlling relays through the management tool, enabling Philips to remotely reset the router as often as necessary.

Because the mobile imaging centers predominantly serve rural communities, they are frequently in locations that are 3-4 hours from the nearest Philips field engineer. Due to the time required for travel, diagnostics and eventual repair, a customer’s imaging equipment could be down for a significant amount of time.

Utilizing the AirLink gateway, Philips engineers located in the company call center will have the ability to monitor, troubleshoot and fix problems remotely, minimizing the need for travel by a field service engineer. In certain situations, the call center will be able to diagnose issues as the field service engineer is en route to the remote location. When the engineer arrives at the mobile imaging center, the problem may already be diagnosed, saving valuable resolution time.

Additionally, with the AirLink GPS feature, the location of mobile imaging centers can easily be tracked. In the past, locating mobile systems in real-time was a challenge for Philips, requiring people throughout the organization to spend significant time and effort. With the GPS feature, tracking is a real-time, systems-driven process that improves the efficiency in overall service delivery.

Wireless connectivity enabled by the AirLink gateways provides the opportunity to reduce downtime from days to just hours or even minutes. Since any equipment downtime results in lost revenue, the wireless solution provides an immediate ROI. The current average reimbursement rate for a diagnostic imaging scan is significant. Assuming an average of 10 patients receiving scans each day, the customer could lose a considerable amount of revenue when a machine is down for just one day. Remote monitoring and repair minimizes revenue stream loss and ensures that at-risk patients have the opportunity to use the imaging equipment during the limited time that it is in their area.

Philips is taking a phased approach to their wireless solution. While currently putting in the structural foundation of remote management and tracking solution, Philips is also planning for an AVL (automatic vehicle location) application and vehicle telemetry functionality. With the AVL web interface, Philips and their customers will be able to track the location of the mobile imaging centers online.