To the uninitiated, healthcare as a market for AV solutions may seem rather too specialist. But, as Ian McMurray finds out, it’s a vibrant market with plenty of opportunities for most integrators
Videoconferencing can be used to provide remote training in various emergency techniques to ambulance crews
[KEY POINTS]
While there are variations from country to country, the healthcare market for AV solutions is growing as healthcare organisations look to improve both patient care and efficiency
THE CRY OF “The screens, nurse! Quick, the screens!” isn’t as often repeated as it once was. Given that The Goon Showwas broadcast on BBC radio in the 1950s, few today would associate the catchphrase with Peter Sellers’ cowardly character Major Denis Bloodnok, or realise that he wasn’t asking for large LCD displays. Healthcare has come a long way in 60 years. “AV is playing a great role in assisting with the ever- changing way healthcare is delivered,” notes Duffy
ROI is key, whether it’s in creating efficiencies, helping patients spend less time in hospital or generating new revenue streams
Videoconferencing is perhaps the highest profile application, enabling ‘telemedicine’, but virtually every ‘typical’ AV application exists within the healthcare sector
Wilbert, senior vice president, membership services of InfoComm International. “It plays a role with diagnosing illness even in remote locations, creating simulations and teaching complex techniques to doctors around the world – and provides a host of other benefits as well.” “It’s an expanding and
exciting market for us,” notes Ian Wallington, regional director at UK integrator proAV. “We’ve received a number of contract awards recently for projects including
videowalls, digital signage and videoconferencing technologies within immersive learning facilities, MDT [multidisciplinary team] rooms and operating theatres.” “Healthcare is a challenging
vertical in which we have many years’ experience; we find that repeat business, referrals and demonstrable experience within the sector are the best way to develop further opportunities,” he continues. “We have successfully been awarded a place on the NHS Shared
The nearer AV products come to the patient, the more stringent the safety and operational requirements. Many healthcare applications, however, have no ‘special’ requirements
Business Services framework which is generating further opportunities.” “For us, medical AV is
growing and has tremendous potential,” echoes Jim Hatcher, chief technology officer at Human Circuit, a US integrator of Atlona AV connectivity solutions.
WORLDWIDE OPPORTUNITY It’s not just in the UK and the US where opportunity lies. “I don’t have any hard evidence but, anecdotally, it seems that North America is more progressive in terms of
Healthcare represents a real opportunity for integrators to add unique value and respond to customer preference to deal with a single point of contact
applications,” says Tom Pfeuffer, global vice president of medical markets at video networking, digital signage and IP video distribution company Haivision. “In fact, some say that this region could be considered the trendsetter for the rest of the world. In Europe, there are many similarities with video collaboration, but my sense is that the European market is not pushing the envelope in applications where AV is making big strides, such as in telemedicine. In Asia,