Tessa Quinn
Watching movies in the hospital can be a great form of entertainment and distraction for patients, especially during long-term stays or while waiting for surgery. While some hospitals provide bedside televisions, there is a growing demand for WiFi-enabled entertainment, allowing patients to use their own devices to stream movies and shows. This shift has led to discussions about the potential benefits and costs of providing free WiFi in hospitals, including the need for data security and proper filtering. In some hospitals, such as the AMC hospital in Amsterdam, movies are even screened for patients during surgery as a form of relaxed surgery, aiming to reduce patient stress and explore alternatives to conventional anaesthetics. As the demand for connectivity grows, hospitals are faced with the challenge of meeting patient expectations for WiFi access while navigating technological and financial constraints.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Amsterdam |
| Hospital | AMC Hospital |
| Purpose | To reduce stress and tension in patients before and after an operation |
| Anaesthetic Alternative | Film screenings are being investigated as a complement to or alternative for conventional anaesthetics |
| WiFi | Limited free WiFi available for renal and chemotherapy patients in some hospitals |
| Devices | Patients bring their own WiFi-enabled devices |
| Cost | The cost of providing a safe and secure entertainment service is contentious |
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What You'll Learn
Using your own device
If you're planning a hospital stay and want to watch movies, it's a good idea to bring your own device. This could be an iPad, a tablet, or a smartphone. By using your own device, you can ensure you have access to your favourite movies and TV shows during your stay.
First, check with the hospital's IT department to find out about the reliability of their Wi-Fi. Wireless connectivity may vary across the hospital, and you may find that streaming services are blocked on the guest Wi-Fi to prevent interference with critical medical data. If you want to stream movies, you may need to use your cellular data. However, keep in mind that some areas of the hospital may block the signal due to the building materials used.
To ensure you have access to your desired content, consider downloading movies and TV shows to your device before arriving at the hospital. This way, you can watch them offline, even if the Wi-Fi signal is weak or streaming services are blocked. Netflix, Disney+, Crave, and Amazon Prime are some popular streaming platforms that allow downloads. Simply find the title you want, press the download icon, and then access your downloads within the app to watch offline.
If you have a large media collection on a hard drive, consider getting a portable wireless hard drive with its own Wi-Fi transmitter. This will allow you to stream movies from your drive to your device without relying on hospital Wi-Fi.
Additionally, some hospitals offer Bring-Your-Own-Device platforms like SPARK Media®, which provides free entertainment, NHS resources, and charity information. You can also look into free streaming services like Kanopy, which is free with a library card or university affiliation.
Remember, if you plan to connect your device to the hospital room TV, be mindful of privacy and security. Methods like casting, mirroring, and pairing can facilitate this connection, but hospitals should engage with vendors to ensure patient privacy.
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Free hospital Wi-Fi
There are a few options for watching movies in the hospital with free Wi-Fi. Firstly, it's important to note that some hospitals have started to implement free basic Wi-Fi for patients, such as Imperial College Healthcare Trust in London, which offers free basic Wi-Fi and a premium service for a faster connection. Additionally, some hospitals in Canada, like Sunnybrook Hospital, have adopted a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) model, where patients can use their own devices to connect to the hospital's free Wi-Fi and stream entertainment services like Netflix.
However, it's worth noting that video streaming services may be blocked on some hospital Wi-Fi networks, and hospitals that offer free Wi-Fi may only provide it for specific purposes, such as accessing the trust's website or other limited services. In these cases, you may need to use a VPN to bypass restrictions or consider using a mobile device with a suitable data plan to tether your connection and stream movies.
If you have access to a good Wi-Fi connection in the hospital, you can use streaming services like Netflix, which allows you to download movies and shows directly to your device, so you can watch them offline without relying on an internet connection. This can be especially useful in hospitals where the Wi-Fi connection may be unstable or unreliable.
Additionally, some hospitals provide bedside entertainment systems, such as those offered by WiFi Spark, which provide TV, radio, internet, and telephone services. While some services are free, others may require payment, and the availability of movie streaming options may vary. It's always a good idea to check with the hospital beforehand to understand the options available and any potential limitations.
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Licensing for hospitals
Hospitals can enhance the patient experience by screening movies and TV shows. However, it is important to ensure compliance with copyright laws and obtain the necessary licenses to avoid legal issues.
According to the Federal Copyright Act, copyrighted materials like movies can only be used for public performance if they are properly licensed. The rental or purchase of a movie does not grant the right to exhibit it outside of personal home use. Hospitals must obtain a license to screen movies or TV shows, regardless of the number of viewers or whether admission fees are charged. The management of the hospital is responsible for ensuring copyright compliance and may face consequences for infringement.
To obtain a license for screening movies in a hospital, there are several options available:
- Contact a licensing service specializing in public performance rights, such as Swank Motion Pictures, Criterion Collection, or MPLC (Motion Picture Licensing Corporation). These companies work directly with major film studios to provide licensing for their content.
- Purchase public performance rights (PPR) along with a DVD from select distributors like EPF Media, Women Make Movies, and Kino Lorber. This option typically applies to documentaries and independent features.
- Obtain a license through a distributor for a limited number of screenings. Some DVD distributor websites provide forms to request public screening rights.
- Consider an MPLC umbrella license if the hospital plans to screen films regularly without charging admission fees. This option offers unlimited exhibitions without reporting requirements for an annual fee.
It is important to note that the cost of a license may vary depending on factors such as the film, audience size, industry, and whether admission fees are charged. Hospitals should also be mindful of any additional regulations or consent requirements, especially when filming or photographing patients within their premises.
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Streaming services
Wifi-Enabled Devices:
There has been a notable shift in patient preferences from traditional bedside televisions to personal wifi-enabled devices. Patients now expect to use their own devices, such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops, to access streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or similar platforms. This trend has led to a growing demand for free and reliable wifi services in hospitals. While some hospitals offer limited free wifi, the call for improved and more accessible wifi is becoming a priority for patients.
Patient Experience and Wellbeing:
Licensing Considerations:
It is important to note that hospitals must obtain the necessary licenses to stream movies or TV shows, regardless of the audience size or admission fees. The management of the facility bears the responsibility for copyright infringement. Therefore, hospitals need to ensure they comply with licensing requirements to avoid any legal issues.
Outsourcing and Innovation:
To address the challenges of providing free wifi and managing the associated costs, some hospitals outsource wifi services. For example, WiFi SPARK, the UK leader for patient wifi, works with NHS trusts to provide flexible and innovative solutions. Outsourcing allows hospitals to benefit from specialised providers who can offer tailored services, embrace new technologies, and assist in managing the increasing demand for patient wifi connectivity.
The integration of streaming services into patient entertainment options showcases the evolving nature of healthcare institutions to meet the changing needs and expectations of patients. By embracing these services, hospitals can positively impact patient experiences and explore innovative ways to enhance patient wellbeing.
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Movies during surgery
Watching movies during surgery can be a calming and distracting experience for patients, improving their hospital stay and even complementing or replacing conventional anaesthesia. Peterborough City Hospital in the UK and Amsterdam Medical Centre (AMC) hospital in the Netherlands have both implemented programmes that allow patients to watch movies during surgery. AMC's trial involves patients undergoing surgery with an epidural or local anaesthetic, and the first patient who underwent ankle surgery while watching a documentary reported an enriching and luxurious experience.
Peterborough City Hospital's programme is aimed at keeping older patients relaxed during orthopedic operations performed under spinal block anaesthesia. Consultant anaesthetist Dr Richard Griffiths shared that recent movie requests included 'The Sound of Music' and 'Dirty Dancing'. The hospital benefits by saving on sedation costs, and patients can enjoy their favourite films while avoiding the risks of general anaesthesia.
However, showing movies in hospitals requires compliance with copyright law. A license is typically needed regardless of the number of viewers or whether admission charges apply.
When choosing a movie to watch during recovery from surgery, it is best to avoid horror films or comedies that might cause excessive laughter and rip open incision sites. Classic dramas or action films from the 80s and 90s, such as the 'Man With No Name' trilogy, 'Serpico', 'Taxi Driver', 'Lethal Weapon', 'The Matrix', and 'Braveheart', could be better options.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are a patient at a hospital that provides wifi, you can use your own wifi-enabled device to watch movies.
Some hospitals do provide wifi, but it may not be free. For example, Imperial, which has five main hospital sites across London, introduced a comprehensive public wifi service, but it is unclear whether it is free.
Yes, a license is required to show movies in a hospital, regardless of the number of viewers or whether there are admission charges or fees.
