From problem to solution Thin client migration at Fichtelgebirge Hospital
🚧 Initial situation and challenges
Problems have repeatedly occurred at the Klinikum Fichtelgebirge with the use of Philips dictation devices in conjunction with the Igel OS12 operating system and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections. These limitations affected the smooth workflow, especially in everyday medical practice, and led the IT department to look for alternatives.
Challenges at a glance:
• Compatibility issues with peripherals (digital dictation devices).
• Limited flexibility
Implementation with openthinclient
The hospital discovered openthinclient via a Google search. Registration, download, and initial tests went smoothly. System administrator Lukas Peuckert praised the good documentation and was able to set up the solution largely independently. After positive feedback from the testing phase, the rollout was planned.
One difference to the previous solution was the boot behaviour:
openthinclient uses PXE, whereas Igel uses local boot media. For workstations with independent boot requirements, the „Localboot“ app was set up in conjunction with Support.
Implementation steps:
• Test phase with direct positive user experience
• **Quick, independent commissioning**
• Technical adjustment of boot behaviour using „Localboot“
• Support for the rollout through OpenThinClient support
Technical requirements
The openthinclient solution has been successfully integrated into the existing infrastructure, which is based on Windows RDS. It is currently in use at both the main hospital and two medical supply centres (MVZs).
The thin clients are in productive use in various areas and are continuously being expanded.
Current deployment locations:
• Patient admission
Emergency admission
Doctor's office
Reception and gatehouse area
Future expansions:
• Introduction of QR code barcode readers
• Use of Thin Clients in operating theatre areas
Conclusion and feedback
Switching to openthinclient brings numerous advantages to the Fichtelgebirge Clinic in its daily IT administration. Centralised control of the clients and the quick setup of new devices simplify operations and save valuable time in everyday IT tasks. Updates are rolled out centrally and are available on all devices immediately after a reboot. Even in the event of failures, the replacement process is greatly simplified.
Advantages at a glance:
• Support for Philips digital dictaphones
• Simple management via a graphical interface
• Quick setup and configuration of new clients
Time savings on updates and maintenance
• Stable operation in medically sensitive areas
„Everything is managed centrally, super simple. I do an update once and by the next morning at the latest it's distributed to all clients. Even if a client fails, the effort involved is minimal:
Disconnect the faulty client, connect a new one, two clicks in the openthinclient manager, save, done - switch on the new client and that's it.‘
(Lukas Peuckert, System Administrator and responsible for the client
Infrastructure at the Fichtelgebirge Hospital
KLINIKUM FICHTELGEBIRGE – CLOSER TO THE PATIENT
The Fichtelgebirge Hospital is a renowned healthcare facility in the region, offering high-quality medical care at the most modern standard. With its two locations in Marktredwitz and Selb, the hospital ensures comprehensive care for the people in the region.
