To alleviate security concerns, the hospital opted to use a separate
Internet feed it had available for public access, she said. Only
authorized staff can get through two firewalls to access the highly
secure Internet line containing patient information.

At WRH Health System, only staff who have a special encryption
loaded onto their laptops or personal data assistants (pdas) can access
the encrypted wireless network that contains patient records, Sauer
said.

“We do not broadcast it,'' he said. “You would not see the private network.''

Both hospitals also use filters to block inappropriate sites.

The American Hospital Association doesn't track the number of health
care facilities that offer wireless Internet access to patients. But a
spokeswoman said the association has heard from members that this is a
growing trend.