Press Releases

Budapest, February 14, 2007 11:00

Cisco Magyarország and Magyar Telekom T-Systems are donating an IT system worth HUF 120 million to Bethesda Children's Hospital. In the frame of the development project to be launched on February 15 the most up-to-date IT tools and services will be introduced in both buildings of the 171-bed hospital. From this summer new fixed and wireless network, new computers and printers, state-of-the-art software for clinics, patient direction system, IP telephony, RFID system assisting property protection, remote supervisory system and numerous other novelties will contribute to raising the level of health care and the efficiency of operation.

The purpose of the project is to develop an infocommunication system which will bring about a significant improvement in quality for the hospital as regards patient care, increasing efficiency of medical work, fulfillment of the hospital’s reporting obligations and finally the effective management of resources. In addition, an exemplary cooperation model will be created which can be applied as reference in other Hungarian hospitals for the construction and operation of high quality network infrastructures. By building similar systems and involving more hospitals, it will be possible in the long run to create a unified and efficient system capable of improving the overall standard of health services in Hungary.

The investment worth a total of HUF 130 million is supported by Cisco Magyarország with a donation of devices and services amounting to HUF 65 million and HUF 5 million respectively while the contribution of Magyar Telekom T-Systems includes devices in a value of HUF 20 million and services worth HUF 30 million. In the frame of the sponsorship the devices will be operated and the service provided by T-Systems for 3 years. The contribution of the hospital to the development is HUF 10 million own resources, and a further HUF 10 million will be spent by them every year on the operation of the system. In a special ceremony István Papp, Regional Director of Cisco and Zoltán Tankó, Chief Officer of Magyar Telekom and Director of T-Systems handed over the check symbolizing the donation to Dr. György Velkey, Director-General of Bethesda Hospital.

In the frame of the comprehensive development the complete IT system of the hospital will be renewed, including a number of devices and services which are considered as novelties even in the most developed countries of Western Europe. The development covers the following main areas:

• New (convergent) IP network providing sufficient bandwidth for voice, video and data communication both inside and outside the institution.
• Wireless (wifi) network for the application of wireless devices.
• IP telephony (free calls within the network, video conference, remote medical consultation, other services).
• Integrated mobile-IP telephony enabling employees to make calls free of charge within the hospital, using mobile sets suitable for this purpose.
• MedWorkS hospital system covering all areas of health care.
• Patient calling system for the reduction of waiting period.
• RFID system to keep records of medical devices and localize them within the hospital.
• Remote access enabling managers to access data required for their work from outside locations as well; moreover family doctors can also view the medical reports of their patients.
• Internet corner for employees and visitors.
• Electronic signature for the authentication of documents.
• New hardware and software infrastructure (PCs, printers).
• Wireless devices (Tablet PC, PDA).
• Distance learning possibility for professional training.

Bethesda Children’s Hospital was selected by the two companies in the course of a process lasting almost one year. Well definable project size, transparent processes of hospital operation, positive attitude of managers and expert background ensured by the hospital and necessary for the success of the project, as well as an own contribution, were the criteria for selection.

"Although the new IT system of our institution is being created mainly from donations, others can also accomplish similar modernization with development funds available in the near future for Hungarian hospitals. In this way, apart from improving the performance of doctors working here and the conditions for the recovery of our small patients, the experience gained during the introduction and operation of this investment project may be used as a model for other hospitals, thereby helping to raise the standard of the whole public health system", said Dr. György Velkey, Director-General of Bethesda Hospital.

"Similarly to their colleagues working in the business sector, health care decision-makers have also recognized that networks can play an extremely important role in the achievement of their strategic goals. In the frame of the project implemented at Bethesda Children's Hospital we would like to bring to Hungary as well the secure and comprehensive IT bases of medical care in the 21st century. In the case of medical institutions the intelligent networks function as a digital nervous system which interconnects various medical applications, systems and devices – including wireless equipment, remote diagnostics, virtual conferences among specialists or even applications assisting the contact maintained between the sick and members of their family or the relaxation of patients", István Papp, Regional Director of Cisco observed.

"Magyar Telekom distributes donations amounting to more than HUF 110 million per year among various foundations and associations, laying particular emphasis on the health and social problems of children. Changing its previous donation practice, our group of companies contributed actively to the creation of a more up-to-date infocommunication infrastructure assisting health care at a higher level within Bethesda Hospital by offering its own solutions based an the application of modern technologies and by capitalizing on the knowledge and experience accumulated so far", said Zoltán Tankó, Head of T-Systems Line of Business at Magyar Telekom.