Metro Ethernet provides 911 for bandwidth: New Mexico's largest health care provider got fatter pipes at lower prices by switching to an alternate provider's service.(Case Study)

Efficiency and dollar savings drove Presbyterian Healthcare Services of Albuquerque, NM to metro Ethernet.

"We're a not-for-profit, so there is more emphasis here on efficient operations than anything else," said Aaron Jaramillo, network technologies manager for the hospital. He oversees both the PBX and the data side of the house. "Our goal was to get double the bandwidth at half the cost."

Presbyterian is New Mexico's largest health care provider, with seven hospitals, the state's largest health plan, home health care, outpatient centers and ambulance services. Founded in 1908, it now employs more than 7,500 people. By early 2004, the demand on bandwidth became overwhelming.

Presbyterian had a point-to-point ATM OC-3 network with Qwest. While there were no huge issues with the service provided, the contract was set to expire and Jaramillo figured it was as good a time as any to explore options.

One thing he knew for sure: The Presbyterian network would continue to grow. The cost of keeping up with the growth was wreaking havoc on budgets, and the administration was clear that they expected technology to lead the way to improved health care, and not represent a stumbling block. …