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Montreal’s Shriners Hospital for Children Partners with Wilson Connectivity 

BACKGROUND 

Shriners Hospital for Children, founded in 1922, has grown into a network of 22 nonprofit medical facilities across North America. Known for providing exceptional pediatric care regardless of families’ ability to pay, Shriners has treated over 1.4 million children with complex conditions such as burns, spinal cord injuries, and neuromusculoskeletal disorders. 

THE CHALLENGE: Connectivity in a Modern Facility 

Despite its state-of-the-art medical capabilities, Shriners Hospital in Montreal, Quebec, faced a significant challenge: poor cellular connectivity. The hospital’s innovative, energy-efficient building materials, while excellent for sustainability, inadvertently blocked cellular signals. This issue was particularly problematic in critical areas like the on-call room, where medical professionals need to be reachable 24/7. 

THE SOLUTION: Implementing Advanced Cellular Technology 

To address this challenge, Shriners partnered with CELLWORK DAS© to implement a WilsonPro Repeater System. This solution was chosen for its ability to boost signals for all major Canadian carriers, ensuring comprehensive coverage. 

Key aspects of the implementation included: 

• Installation of a powerful Wilson omnidirectional outside antenna 

• Strategic placement of repeaters to cover the 100,000 square foot, six-story building 

• Careful installation to minimize disruption in the active hospital environment 

THE RESULTS: Leveraging Improved Connectivity for Enhanced Patient Care 

With the new system in place, Shriners Hospital has experienced significant improvements in its operations and patient care: 

1. Seamless Communication for Medical Staff:  

• Doctors in the on-call room now have reliable cellular service, allowing them to stay connected with colleagues and patients without relying solely on landlines. 

• Medical professionals can easily access internet resources on their mobile devices, enhancing their ability to provide up-to-date care. 

2. Enhanced Family Communication:  

• Families can now stay informed about their child’s treatment status more easily, reducing anxiety and improving the overall patient experience. 

3. Efficient Operations:  

• The improved connectivity supports the use of cellular-connected tablets and other mobile devices, facilitating smoother hospital operations and patient rounds. 

4. Support for Advanced Medical Technologies:  

• The enhanced cellular infrastructure lays the groundwork for potential future implementation of 5G-dependent medical technologies, such as remote monitoring, telemedicine, and IoT-enabled medical devices. 

5. Cost-Effective Solution:  

• By choosing a cost-effective connectivity solution, Shriners can allocate more resources to its primary mission of providing exceptional pediatric care. 

CONCLUSION 

By addressing its connectivity challenges, Shriners Hospital for Children in Montreal has not only improved its day-to-day operations but has also enhanced its ability to provide compassionate, wraparound care in a supportive environment. This case study demonstrates how investing in advanced cellular infrastructure can directly contribute to an organization’s core mission, especially in critical sectors like healthcare. 

As Shriners continues to leverage this improved connectivity, it is well-positioned to adopt future technological advancements, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of pediatric care for years to come.