Medical Construction & Design

JAN-FEB 2016

Medical Construction & Design (MCD) is the industry's leading source for news and information and reaches all disciplines involved in the healthcare construction and design process.

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BY TIM WRIGHT With the growth in the consumer market of high-defi nition programming and the fl at-panel industrial design seen in LCD, LED and OLED televisions, the majority of the patient population is accustomed to and expects these innovations in the hospital. Global factory yields are increas- ing and prices are correcting to a point where it's more common for the hospital to source a larger-screen, hospital-grade HDTV. In 2015 the most common 32-inch screen size gave way to larger-screen products in the patient room. The fastest growing segment for the top manufactur- ers in this category is 40-43-inch screens. At least one major manufacturer will in- troduce a 55-inch hospital grade HDTV in 2016. The trend of hospitals transitioning to private rooms has given these larger- screen products additional traction. There are many factors that come into play when the decision is made for a hos- pital to upgrade its television system. The following are key aspects to consider: Hospital televisions, or any display device in the patient environment, must adhere to more stringent regulatory requirements than a residential or consumer television. The most distinct dif erence is the nurse- call interface. TVs placed in the patient room are controlled by a wired pillow speaker. This device allows the patient to communicate with the nurse station, and vice-versa, while momentarily canceling the televi- sion audio to ensure clear communication. Hospital-grade televisions, UL Approved for patient room use, also provide elec- tronic isolation to the pillow speaker control to ensure safety in a potentially oxygen-enriched environment. From basic on-screen patient guides and hospital information, to systems that deliver on-demand patient education, entertainment and even the capability to order meals from the cafeteria menu, the patient room television is becoming a portal for the patient and staf alike. It is much more than "just a TV." More advanced systems are interfaced with the hospital ADT system and some with the patients' electronic medical records. These solutions can result in a measurable increase in both patient care ef ciencies and patient satisfaction. With the level of on-screen content these solutions deliver, a larger screen patient television is almost mandatory. The mar- ket penetration of interactive television systems has grown to almost 20 percent of domestic hospitals and continues to increase. The advent of high-defi nition technology and HD programming — the norm in public areas like hospitals, hotels, stadiums, etc. — has created the need for content security. Commercial HDTV products, including hospital-grade televisions, should incorporate the digital rights management technology required by the content providers and distributors. "Pro:Idiom" technology, designed and patented by Zenith Electronics Corporation, is the most common embedded technology adopted by the commercial television industry. As the industry evolves to 4K Ultra- HD programming, the studios and distributors will continue to emphasize content security to protect intellectual property with this technology. This aspect needs to be considered when selecting a brand of hospital-grade television. Vladislav Kochelaevs/DollarPhotoClub.com MORE THAN 'JUST A TV' Interactive television systems Securing content, data Safety fi rst Considerations for upgrading hospital televisions 42 Medical Construction & Design | JA N UA RY/ F EBRUA RY 2016 | MCDM AG.COM

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