EU Funding for Oulu University Hospital to Improve Patient Care with Private 5G Network and Wearable Technology
This media release/news item was published prior to our acquisition of the Cellnex Private Networks business including Edzcom in February 2024. Learn more about the acquisition here.
The European Commission has selected 42 projects from the second round of calls for proposals for the CEF Digital program, and grant agreements are being signed for them on behalf of the European Health and Digital Agency (HaDEA). One of the four projects selected from Finland is a project coordinated by Edzcom Oy involving Oulu University Hospital, the University of Oulu, and WICOAR Technologies.
The project’s primary goal is to deploy a private 5G network in a hospital environment, focusing on demanding environments like operating rooms, procedure units, and selected patient wards. The project aims to pioneer the use of 5G technology in a hospital setting and create a secure, high-capacity wireless network. This environment serves as a platform for developing and researching advanced data sharing and visualisation techniques within the consortium.
“We’re thrilled to have such great partners in the consortium. Together, we aim to enhance and streamline Finnish healthcare and the burden it faces. The network being constructed within the project is both safe and exceptional in terms of supply security, and it also serves as a foundation for other innovative healthcare-supporting solutions. In the future, our solution will undoubtedly be widely used in both Finland and Europe,” says project coordinator Petri Parviainen, Senior Key Account Manager at Edzcom.
The project will establish a robust, cutting-edge private 5G infrastructure at Oulu University Hospital (OYS, Pohjois-Ostrobothnia welfare area Pohde) to power advanced wireless healthcare solutions, particularly wearable technology that encompasses augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
“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,” adds Rauno Jokelainen, a member of the WICOAR board.
By harnessing wearable technology within a private 5G network, the project facilitates seamless communication and intuitive data presentation, ensuring that healthcare professionals have immediate access to pertinent information improving patient care while alleviating the burden of prolonged screen time.
Kirsti Ylitalo-Katajisto, Pohde’s social and healthcare organising director, recognises the transformative potential of new technology in healthcare: “Collaboration between businesses and the public sector is crucial to cultivate an environment conducive to the adoption of innovative technologies in healthcare, ultimately benefiting our patients. Pohde aspires to be a pioneer in this domain, and we are delighted to receive EU support for this groundbreaking technology implementation within our hospital, ensuring it benefits all stakeholders.
The University of Oulu rigorously evaluates the suitability of private 5G networks in a hospital setting, meticulously assessing the usability of AR/VR technologies. Additionally, it refines and optimises advanced data sharing and visualisation techniques, laying the groundwork for seamless integration of wireless AR/VR wearables into healthcare workflows. Following the successful completion of this project, healthcare professionals will be empowered to deliver enhanced and more efficient patient care.
Emma Pirilä, director of research and project services, underscores the indispensable role of universities in Finnish cutting-edge technology development and research: “In this groundbreaking healthcare development project, the University of Oulu meticulously evaluates the feasibility of a private 5G network in a hospital environment and rigorously assesses the usability of wearable technologies in practical settings.”
Harnessing a private 5G network is pivotal in guaranteeing the utmost availability, uninterrupted operations, and robust data security, all of which are indispensable in the healthcare domain. This network serves as a bedrock for the burgeoning adoption and utilisation of wireless technologies in healthcare, paving the way for transformative advancements in patient care and operational efficiency, both now and for generations to come.
More information on EU funding: