New Mototrbo system -Elk City

[WX5JCH]

Well, it looks like there will be a new MOTOTRBO system going in here in Elk City for the Hospital. I'm pretty sure it's not monitorable (digital). I'll post the freq's etc. as soon as I get them.

Anyone have experience with this new system?

Jim
KE5AZY

 

[KK5FM]

It will certainly not be monitorable with the current (or maybe even future) generation of scanners. However, on another radio-related board, it was surmised that a person could go buy a MotoTRBO radio and program it to monitor the system. Since these systems are so new, I don't know if this theory has been tested yet...

 

[mam1081]

It will certainly not be monitorable with the current (or maybe even future) generation of scanners. However, on another radio-related board, it was surmised that a person could go buy a MotoTRBO radio and program it to monitor the system. Since these systems are so new, I don't know if this theory has been tested yet...

I don't see why that wouldn't work. It might take a little experimenting to see which time slot they are using, but I would imagine it's very similar to doing the same with a Phase I P25 radio (just add the "find time slot" task in your radio monitoring fun).

I saw a guy on "the other forum" selling portables for like $750 - repeaters for $1250. Sounds intriguing!!

 

[freqscout]

I think mam1081 just found a new challenge!

 

[mam1081]

I think mam1081 just found a new challenge!

Well, since ProVoice is getting so boring now...:lol:

I would like to get in on some of that TDMA - could be some interesting stuff!

 

[WX5JCH]

Well, I'll have a portable in my hands in a few weeks. They say we can split our channels and get 2 conversations on one frequency. It will be digital due to HIPAA.

60 foot knock down tower, UHF, don't know the freq's yet. It will have quite a few talk groups, don't have a written list yet.

Also adding a new Moto radio in the ER for the HEAR system.
Here is a photo of the new radios:

 

[Secret_Squirrel]

It will be digital due to HIPAA.

It always cracks me up when I hear people say this. You DO realize that is about the most bogus statement you could make, correct?

 

[WX5JCH]

How do you figure that? You know something that I dont?

I'm installing HIPAA compliant encryption on both our digital in-house system which we use for disasters, drills and hazmat, besides it's normal uses. I'm also encrypting our 155.340 link, which will be low powered UHF front and back.

Maybe I forget to mention Onelink has designed this system to be city wide and we will share with the Fire/EMS as needed. Also, did you know we are governed by JCAHO and their '08 National Patient safety goal #16A clearly states that we have to have a HIPAA compliant com system here by December 07. I'll post the state requirement as soon as my fax machine is back up so I can scan it.

I got a flash demo of the new hospital that's going in online now at;
http://www.gprmc-ok.com

 

[n5bew1]

Sounds like the key word is "encrypted" instead of "digital".

 

[Secret_Squirrel]

How do you figure that? You know something that I dont?

I'm installing HIPAA compliant encryption on both our digital in-house system which we use for disasters, drills and hazmat, besides it's normal uses. I'm also encrypting our 155.340 link, which will be low powered UHF front and back.

Maybe I forget to mention Onelink has designed this system to be city wide and we will share with the Fire/EMS as needed. Also, did you know we are governed by JCAHO and their '08 National Patient safety goal #16A clearly states that we have to have a HIPAA compliant com system here by December 07. I'll post the state requirement as soon as my fax machine is back up so I can scan it.

I got a flash demo of the new hospital that's going in online now at;
http://www.gprmc-ok.com

We should probably start a whole new thread in the Tavern if you think the discussion warrants it.

However, I find it strange that you need to install the system you speak of yet all of us can listen to patient reports being given over the HEAR system all over the state. These rural EMS services are not all going to convert to a system like yours. Heck, some of them run off of the HEAR freq's ONLY! The same thing can be said for air medical helicopters, government run EMS, private EMS transfer services, etc.

What good does it do for you to have a HIPAA compliant system, and meet this standard and that standard when the services bringing patients to your hospital are transmitting patient reports in the clear?! Also, 99% of all patient reports given do not mention a name and I think everyone in the business knows why. If no name is mentioned then.....you see what I'm getting at?

 

[dstew67]

What exactly is HIPAA compliant encryption, and where are the requirements in the statute? I've looked, and I can't find a thing about which type radio or communications the law mentions. Maybe I missed it...

 

[WX5JCH]

Hear is the requirement;
http://www.health.state.ok.us/program/ems/EMS Encoder List 1.pdf

Digital is our in-house choice. encryption is needed to keep our radio conversations discrete, per our administration. I guess everyone in town enjoys listening to our housekeepers, maint. and other departments.

Right now I have over 25 vhf portables working here and we can not talk from the basement to the first floor even on hi power. This new system will eliminate that with a off site UHF repeater. I think if you talk with EMSA's comm's officer James Muller, he will tell you why they are running encrypted on the DPS system. Our police/fire run MDT's on a 4.9GHz system now.

I had a code red yesterday that I would have preferred to keep off the air -as we get too many people here "lookin". (it was just a bad simplex board)

We have a policy that requires this;
"The medical record is legally the property of Great Plains Regional Medical Center and is maintained to serve the patient, the health care provider and the institution. It is the hospital’s obligation to safeguard the record and the informational content against loss, defacement, tampering and from use by unauthorized individuals. Any information of a medical nature in possession of the hospital shall not be revealed"

The way I read it that means radios as well. The state and city agrees with me on this one.

I suggest when you come to Elk City, just turn off our channels and we won't bother you.

 

[dstew67]

I knew the answer before I asked, so I have to admit to being a little ornery. The reality is that these are either company policy or preference. While I can certinaly understand the benefit, and further agree with the use of encryption for calling in patient reports, there is no legal link between HIPAA and encrypting dispatches. HIPAA-compliance can be accomplished without enrypting your dispatch traffic.

Encrypting public safety dispatch is a very slippery slope. We can all name a lot of reasons for encrypting traffic. I can name one huge reason not to. Public oversight. One of my jobs as a journalist to make sure government entities can't hide their mistakes to the detriment of the public. Oversight outweighs the comfort of being encrypted.