Southern Hills Adds Wi-Fi For Guests

July 14, 2009 – Southern Hills Medical Center has installed Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) access throughout the hospital so that patients and visitors can log on to the Internet through their own laptops or wireless devices.

The hospital’s director of information systems, Ronnie Gannon, said the technology is in place and available for use.

“We are pleased to announce this technology that will allow us to offer to our patients, physicians, visitors and vendors free Wi-Fi,” Gannon said. “With a wireless card in their laptop or other Wi-Fi enabled device, our guests can surf the web, access e-mail and use other Internet-based services.”

“We decided to do this to add another comfort for our patients and their families,” added Thomas Ozburn, chief executive officer. “Patients can use this service to stay in contact with family and friends, or keep in touch with the office while staying with a loved-one.”

Ozburn also made it clear that this network is not the same network that the hospital or any on-site physician’s office uses for its records.

“The guest network and our hospital network are completely separate,” he said. “Our records and communications will not be compromised through this new network. Guest networking is totally disconnected from the hospital’s computer system.”

While the network is free, visitors must bring their own laptop or wireless device in order to log in to the service.

For more information about Southern Hills Medical Center, call TriStar MedLine at 615-342-1919, 800-242-5662 or go to TriStarHealth.com and click on Southern Hills.