Keeping Lines of Communication Open
LRGHealthcare Ensures Uninterrupted Connectivity
LACONIA and FRANKLIN, NH – We’ve all heard about the benefits of common platforms and digital imaging and archiving systems in medicine—accurate, secure patient health information and medical imaging records that can be shared among all of the doctors and professionals caring for you on a moment’s notice, even if they—or you—are in a different location. Easily shared data has increased exponentially the benefits our community enjoys from the collaboration between LRGH, FRH, and our affiliated practices. No matter what practice or facility you are at, your doctors can access the vital information they need to care for you. And that’s especially important in emergency situations.
But, have you ever thought about what happens if the network goes down? Just like your phone lines at home, a downed power line—a single point of failure—could cut off contact between our hospitals and practices.
Today, LRGHealthcare is pleased to announce that is no longer true. Thanks to a collaborative project with MetroCast, LRGHealthcare now has in place a fully redundant fiber optic route between our facilities, removing the risk of losing connectivity due to a single point of failure in the original route.
According to LRGHealthcare Chief Information Officer Red Hutchinson, this project is an important quality and patient safety measure. “When you think of quality and customer service in healthcare, you may not think of these behind-the-scenes elements much,” says Hutchinson. “But the truth is, technological infrastructure and protecting connectivity between our facilities is vital. By having these connections, the resources of the entire organization and even beyond are immediately available to treat each and every patient who comes through our doors. And this new fiber optic route not only protects the connectivity we already have; it also adds the bandwidth we will need to support the connectivity of future technology.”
Hutchinson said that MetroCast was a key partner in this endeavor. “We worked with MetroCast to develop and implement this strategy,” says Hutchinson. “We applaud them for their ability to complete a project of this scale, and appreciate their partnership. They have always been supportive of LRGHealthcare, and they showed their support once again through their financial support of this project. MetroCast helped make this project affordable for our community healthcare system.”
“MetroCast was thrilled with the opportunity to engineer and implement a project of such significance for LRGHealthcare,” says Josh Barstow, Vice President of Advanced Services for MetroCast. “The state-of-the-art private network is an example of the innovative technology that MetroCast has the ability to deliver, and moves forward LRGHealthcare’s efforts to invest in the critical components of their systems. MetroCast is proud to partner with LRGHealthcare to ultimately provide a better, safer, and more secure service to their patients, and our community, for many years to come.”
LRGHealthcare is a not-for-profit healthcare charitable trust representing Lakes Region General Hospital, Franklin Regional Hospital, Affiliated Medical Providers, HealthLink, Community Wellness Centers, the Dental Resource Center, the Holistic Health Center, and other community-based services. LRGHealthcare is committed to making health care available, accessible, and affordable to you.
MetroCast is a leading provider of Digital Television, High Speed Internet, Digital Phone and Business Services to various communities in the states of New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama and South Carolina. MetroCast’s focus in providing superior customer service and technical support along with state-of-the-art technologies and advanced service offerings has driven customer loyalty in all regions. MetroCast is also a primary supporter to numerous local charitable organizations, events and community projects donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to better the lives, economies and communities in which its employees work, live and provide service.
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