Technology
The SickKids Telemedicine Program uses ISDN and a private IP network. ISDN stands for “Integrated Services Digital Network". "IP" stands for "Internet Protocol", a standard protocol for sending information over the internet. Both networks allow audio, video and text data to be transmitted simultaneously. The IP system is part of the Ontario Telehealth Network (OTN) and is a secure VPN (Virtual Private Network) that is on the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Smart Systems for Health network. The majority of national and international connections take place through the ISDN system. The ISDN and IP bandwidth connections are at a maximum speed of 384 KBPS. The hospital has the capacity to facilitate multiple simultaneous connections.