title: Flexible telecommunications. An enhanced system can cut costs and generate revenues.
abstract: Hospitals can cut costs and even generate new revenues by updating their telecommunications systems. Hospitals with sophisticated systems can cut costs in a number of ways. They can bypass local telephone service, use common carrier services, integrate internal transmission systems, establish private networks, and avail themselves of other specialized, cost-reducing services. A sophisticated system can also enable a hospital to generate revenue by reselling excess long-distance and local service, becoming a common carrier, installing pay telephones, and providing other services. Facilities or systems choosing to develop a large, complex system must, however, address certain legal and managerial issues. Not-for-profit organizations must, for example, determine whether selling services will endanger their tax-exempt status. A number of other legal issues will also arise. In addition, facilities or systems planning a large telecommunications upgrade should assemble a knowledgeable, experienced telecommunications project team early.
authors: F E
authors: FE
authors: Fletcher
authors: W H
authors: WH
authors: Roach
authors: B M
authors: BM
authors: Broccolo
mesh_terms: D003363:Cost Control / Q000379:methods; D006747:Hospital Communication Systems / Q000191:economics*; D008004:Licensure; D010067:Ownership; D013685:Telecommunications / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States