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The HOLA 5G Oulu project introduces Europe’s first private 5G network in healthcare

Published on: 12/11/2024

The HOLA 5G Oulu project introduces Europe’s first private 5G network in healthcare

Boldyn Networks, WICOAR Technologies, Oulu University Hospital, and the University of Oulu have been working together as a consortium on the Hola 5G Oulu project. The four parties collaborate to bring a private 5G network to Oulu University Hospital and enable wireless wearable solutions for more efficient patient care.

Finland
Ecosystems

Boldyn Networks, WICOAR TechnologiesOulu University Hospital, and the University of Oulu have received the official funding decision from the European Commission in the CEF Digital1 program for the Hola 5G Oulu project. Working together as a consortium, the four parties will collaborate to bring a private 5G network to Oulu University Hospital and enable wireless wearable solutions for more efficient patient care.

The Hola 5G Oulu project was initiated by Jani Katisko, Associate professor and Medical Physicist at Oulu University Hospital, and Petri Parviainen, Head of sales at Boldyn Networks, to transform healthcare with Europe’s first-ever private 5G SA network in a functioning hospital. This groundbreaking project will leverage wireless wearable technology to redefine patient care and empower medical professionals. Hola 5G Oulu is about creating a robust and secure network for highly demanding healthcare environments and related use cases. Starting with one entire floor of the patient ward and selected operating theatres that serve as a platform for research and development, furthering the role of Oulu as a centre of technological and medical innovation.

The consortium will research and develop advanced data sharing and visualisation techniques aiming to define efficient patient care.

Boldyn’s secure, high-capacity private 5G network will provide the essential infrastructure for this transformation. Thanks to Pohde, the project will be initiated in Oulu University Hospital, the northernmost of Finland’s five university hospitals. It will enable seamless, real-time data sharing, remote monitoring capabilities, and the integration of cutting-edge medical technologies, ensuring optimal patient care and operational efficiency.

Petri Parviainen, Senior Key Account Manager at Boldyn Networks said: “We’re bringing our expertise in large, connected venues as well as bespoke private networks to deliver a solution that will undoubtedly be replicated in other hospitals in Finland and globally. Our consortium partnerships exemplify a concerted effort towards creating a healthcare system that is future-proof to comply with the fast-paced societal changes and technological evolution.”

“A private 5G network, with its high capacity and high-security nature, will provide the hospital with a reliable network, that can enable innovative healthcare-supporting solutions and solidly maintain its performance, even in the disturbance of a blackout,” added Petri.

Oulu-based company WICOAR’s innovative wearable solutions will put live patient data directly into the hands of doctors and nurses, facilitating faster diagnoses and more personalized treatment plans. These wearables will streamline workflows, reduce administrative burdens, and allow healthcare professionals to focus on what matters most: their patients.

Rauno Jokelainen, a member of the WICOAR board said: “WICOAR Technologies is a pioneering Finnish startup driven by the desire to easily integrate patient data into daily patient care safely and quickly. The new technology reduces the time spent on patient work while increasing the face-to-face contact with the patient by reducing the work involving collecting patient data on a terminal in the office.” 

Imagine a world where:

  • Doctors instantly access live patient data and medical imaging during consultations.
  • Surgeons visualize patient histories effortlessly during procedures.
  • Anaesthetists remotely monitor surgeries, providing expert guidance from any location.

This isn’t a distant dream; it’s the future of healthcare, and it’s happening now. This EU-funded initiative, set to revolutionize Oulu University Hospital, will enable:

  • Efficient Patient Care: Streamlining workflows for healthcare professionals, reducing administrative burdens, and increasing face-to-face time with patients.
  • Innovative Wearable Solutions: Live patient data at doctors’ fingertips, improving diagnoses and treatment plans.
  • Enhanced Surgical Precision: Remote monitoring and real-time data sharing for safer and more effective procedures.

The University of Oulu has a crucial role in this transformative project by working hand-in-hand with doctors and nurses. The focus is on ensuring the smooth integration of these cutting-edge technologies into the hospital’s daily operations, minimizing disruption to existing workflows. Through rigorous testing and user-centric design, it is committed to empowering healthcare professionals to embrace these innovations seamlessly and deliver even better patient care.

This EU-funded initiative marks a significant leap forward in European healthcare. By establishing the first private 5G network within a functioning hospital, the project lays the groundwork for secure, efficient patient care through innovative wearable technologies. This will ultimately lead to improved patient care and a more efficient workflow for healthcare professionals.

Stay tuned for upcoming information on the exciting progress of Hola 5G Oulu and the future of healthcare innovation.

Contact persons
Petri Parviainen
Head of Sales Public Sector, Private Networks Europe, Boldyn Networks
petri.parviainen@boldyn.com

Rauno Jokelainen
Co-founder of WICOAR Technologies Oy
Rauno.jokelainen@wicoar.com

Source: WICOAR / the consortium

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