5G Not Linked to Cancer, COVID-19: VA

Other risks studied as 5G comes to fruition inside America’s hospitals

By By Dan Hounsell


Speed is increasingly the name of the game for information technology in healthcare, and tthe U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is on the cutting edge of one important advance — 5G technology. So the VA is being careful to address a range of potential concerns among its patients.

There’s no scientific evidence linking the emergence of fifth-generation wireless technologies to COVID-19 or cancer, the Veterans Affairs Department’s Dr. Ryan Vega confirmed Tuesday. 

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t other risks as 5G comes to fruition inside America’s hospitals, according to Nextgov. So as an early federal adopter, VA is proceeding thoughtfully to ensure the heaps of new attack vectors that come with it don’t put patients in harm's way.

As the VA’s chief officer for health care innovation and learning, Vega has a front seat view to the department’s three ongoing 5G-centered deployments. The VA’s 5G journey kicked off early last year, with the launch of Project Convergence at its Palo Alto Healthcare System in California.



March 16, 2021


Topic Area: Information Technology


Recent Posts

Case Study: How NYU Langone Rebuilt for Resilience After Superstorm Sandy

Although the damage was severe, it provided a valuable opportunity for NYU Langone to assess structural vulnerabilities and increase facility resilience.


Frederick Health Hospital Faces 5 Lawsuits Following Ransomware Attack

The lawsuits accuse FHH of inadequate cybersecurity, poor breach notification and failing to protect patients from identity theft risks.


Arkansas Methodist Medical Center and Baptist Memorial Health Care to Merge

They have signed a non-binding letter of intent to complete a shared mission agreement to merge the two organizations.


Ground Broken on Intermountain Saratoga Springs Multi-Specialty Clinic

The clinic is scheduled to open and start seeing patients in the fall of 2026.


Electrical Fire Tests Resilience of Massachusetts Hospital

Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital used opportunity to renovate key systems and components and expand facility operations.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.