Introduction
Baylor Scott & White Health (BSWH) is a not-for-profit health system based in Dallas, Texas. The system includes 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points across Texas and other states. BSWH is one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in the United States.
Baylor Scott & White Health Network (BSWHN) is the accountable care organization (ACO) for BSWH. BSWHN is a network of more than 11,000 physicians and other healthcare providers who provide care to over 1 million patients.
The Baylor Scott & White Health Network SDN (BSWHN SDN) is a software-defined network (SDN) that was implemented by BSWHN in 2024. The BSWHN SDN is a key component of the health system’s digital transformation strategy.
The BSWHN SDN is a Layer 2 network that uses a central controller to manage and provision network resources. The controller is responsible for configuring and managing the network switches, routers, and other network devices. The controller also provides a single point of management for the entire network.
The BSWHN SDN has a number of benefits over traditional networks, including:
- Increased agility: The SDN can be provisioned and reconfigured quickly and easily, which allows BSWHN to respond to changes in demand and new business requirements.
- Improved security: The SDN can be configured to segment the network into different zones, which helps to protect patient data and other sensitive information.
- Reduced operating costs: The SDN can reduce the cost of managing and operating the network, which frees up resources that can be invested in other areas.
Implementation
The BSWHN SDN was implemented in a phased approach. The first phase involved deploying the SDN controller and configuring the network switches. The second phase involved migrating the network traffic to the SDN.
The implementation of the BSWHN SDN was a success. The SDN has met all of the health system’s expectations and requirements. The SDN has improved the agility, security, and cost-effectiveness of the network.
Benefits
The BSWHN SDN has provided a number of benefits to the health system, including:
- Increased agility: The SDN has allowed BSWHN to respond to changes in demand and new business requirements more quickly and easily. For example, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, BSWHN was able to quickly provision a new network to support the increased demand for telehealth services.
- Improved security: The SDN has helped BSWHN to protect patient data and other sensitive information. The SDN can be configured to segment the network into different zones, which helps to isolate different parts of the network and prevent the spread of malware.
- Reduced operating costs: The SDN has reduced the cost of managing and operating the network. The SDN has automated many of the tasks that were previously performed manually, which has freed up resources that can be invested in other areas.
Conclusion
The BSWHN SDN is a key component of the health system’s digital transformation strategy. The SDN has improved the agility, security, and cost-effectiveness of the network. The SDN is also helping BSWHN to improve the patient experience and deliver better care.
Appendix
Table 1: BSWHN SDN Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Layer 2 network | The SDN operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model, which means that it is responsible for managing and provisioning the network switches and routers. |
| Centralized controller | The SDN controller is responsible for configuring and managing the network switches, routers, and other network devices. |
| Segmented network | The SDN can be configured to segment the network into different zones, which helps to protect patient data and other sensitive information. |
| Automated provisioning | The SDN can be provisioned and reconfigured quickly and easily, which allows BSWHN to respond to changes in demand and new business requirements. |
Table 2: BSWHN SDN Benefits
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Increased agility | The SDN has allowed BSWHN to respond to changes in demand and new business requirements more quickly and easily. |
| Improved security | The SDN has helped BSWHN to protect patient data and other sensitive information. |
| Reduced operating costs | The SDN has reduced the cost of managing and operating the network. |
Table 3: BSWHN SDN Implementation Timeline
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Deploy the SDN controller and configure the network switches. |
| Phase 2 | Migrate the network traffic to the SDN. |
Table 4: BSWHN SDN Key Customers
| Customer | Description |
|---|---|
| Physicians | The SDN provides physicians with secure and reliable access to patient data and other clinical information. |
| Patients | The SDN helps to improve the patient experience by providing fast and reliable access to healthcare services. |
| Researchers | The SDN provides researchers with access to large datasets and computing resources. |
References
- [1] Baylor Scott & White Health Network SDN: A Case Study, Gartner, 2025.
- [2] The Benefits of Software-Defined Networks for Healthcare, Cisco, 2024.
- [3] The Future of Healthcare Networking: Software-Defined Networks, HIMSS, 2023.