INTELLIGENT CABLING
Vertical market compliance driving innovation in cabling
Healthcare related compliance is driving innovation in cabling materials describes Matthias Gerber at R & M .
R
& M is extending its portfolio of special solutions in the healthcare sector to ensure safe networks in clinics and protection for patients , staff and data . Its latest development is the antibacterial R & MhealthLine range for patient rooms . According to the World Health Organisation around 16 million people die every year from infections contracted in hospitals . An enormous number that has to be reduced with appropriate measures .
In a modern hospital room , data connections for connecting computers , medical devices , telephones and multimedia devices are standard . Due to where they are used , these connections are positioned near the patient ’ s bed . Whereas the patients change , these cables stay where they are . To reduce the risk of a possible cross contamination with germs from one patient to the next with patients touching cables and outlets , R & M has developed an antibacterial cabling solution for clinics .
The new R & MhealthLine range is the first complete and consistent cabling solution comprising all components that can be touched by the patient . The materials used for the outlets and patch cords feature additives which are harmless for the patients and which prevent bacteria and germs from settling on them . The efficacy of the products was successfully proved with the help of the bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus and Escheria coli in laboratory tests complying with ISO 22196 .
The R & MhealthLine range offers the same installation and user friendliness as well as transmission performance as standard products . It is compatible with the modular cabling system R & Mfreenet that covers all areas of structured building cabling .
The following in particular are part of the antibacterial network equipment for patients ’ rooms :
• Outlets with RJ45 jacks
• Shielded Cat 6 patch cords
• Unshielded Cat 6 patch cords
• Shutters for unused data ports
The relevant standards IEC 60601-1-1 , require a different protection for operating theatres and treatment rooms . Medical devices and data networks have to be galvanically isolated at such places of use to protect patients from any possible overvoltage ’ s . R & M has developed a solution for this , too : the maintenance-free R & MsafeLine network isolation module . It can be installed in existing LAN outlets
32 Issue 05 INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS