For over 70 years, West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH) has been more than just a medical centre. It’s where neighbours turn in moments of crisis, where families welcome new beginnings, and where generations of caregivers have built lasting trust.
But even the most trusted institutions need renewal. As the community around it grew and healthcare demands evolved, the hospital’s aging facility and limited capacity began to show strain, presenting challenges for staff, patients, and the broader community.
To meet the growing healthcare needs in West Niagara, WLMH embarked on one of the most significant transformations in its history: a complete redevelopment designed to expand capacity and strengthen the hospital’s digital backbone. The vision was to create a smarter, more connected facility that integrates advanced technology to enhance both care and operational efficiency.
The success of this digital transformation relied on strong collaboration. Computacenter led the new Cisco network infrastructure implementation and provided deep integration of the new network both within the larger hospital group’s connected network, and with EKO, EllisDon’s innovative digital framework that unites hospital systems, medical devices and workflows to improve coordination and patient care.
By combining Computacenter’s Cisco networking expertise with EllisDon’s integrated digital framework, this redevelopment marks the beginning of a new era for WLMH, where technology and compassion work hand in hand to serve the community for decades to come.
The backbone of a connected hospital
In healthcare, every second counts. Downtime or system failures can directly affect patient care.
Cisco’s converged network infrastructure, in parallel with EKO, helps address connectivity needs for both clinical and administrative systems, inclusive of legacy medical devices. Network segmentation, automated access controls, and real-time monitoring help protect sensitive patient data and support regulatory needs. This foundation enables WLMH to fully leverage EKO, which transforms data from various systems into actionable insights that enhance patient care and staff efficiency.
The benefits of integration become clear in more intensive situations. When a code blue is triggered, EKO helps coordinate a series of responses, including:
- Medical staff and command center notifications.
- Wayfinding lights to help illuminate hospital spaces and assist with guiding responders through the facility i.
- Enhanced, automated access controls.
- Room lighting and equipment are prepared for immediate care.
Cisco’s network helps enable these systems to communicate in real time, creating closed-loop communication. This means that, if a first responder is unavailable, backup teams can be alerted. For staff, this translates into faster, coordinated care, reduced non-clinical burdens, and an enhanced ability to focus on patient outcomes.
Beyond these situations, EKO also helps staff with day-to-day tasks. Real-time location services help address asset tracking and resourcing needs, whether that’s locating available wheelchairs, cleaning and room preparation, or simply coordinating staff through alerts and notifications. These efficiencies may seem small individually, but together, they significantly enhance workflows, reduce stress for clinicians, and improve the overall patient experience.
A blueprint for connected healthcare
The redevelopment of West Lincoln Memorial Hospital is more than a construction project; it represents a blueprint for the future of healthcare.
Alongside Cisco’s networking solutions, EKO helps transform the patient experience, optimizes clinical workflows, and empowers staff to deliver exceptional care. For health IT leaders and technology decision-makers, WLMH provides a clear example of how strategic investment in networks and integrated digital frameworks can redefine what’s possible in patient care.
As hospitals continue to evolve, the focus is shifting from simply upgrading infrastructure to creating environments that can adapt to the changing needs of patients, caregivers and technology itself. By treating digital systems as essential to the hospital’s foundation, healthcare organizations can build smarter, more connected spaces that grow with them.
At West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, that transformation is already underway. What began as a redevelopment project has become a model for how collaboration and innovation came together to future-proof community healthcare, building a foundation that will continue to support patients and providers for years to come.
