The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched plans to upgrade infrastructure at several Medical Centers across the country to prepare them for the implementation of an Electronic Health Record Management (EHRM) system. The Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Fargo, ND consists of 10 buildings for a total of 400,000GSF and has undergone upgrades to align its existing infrastructure with the standards set by the National Office of Information and Technologies.

The existing fiber optic system throughout the buildings has been upgraded, ensuring connectivity to each IT closet. Redundant fiber pathways, entrance rooms, and dual pathways of multimode fiber to each telecom room have also been implemented. The cable pathways were optimized for heightened performance, and all telecommunications rooms were upgraded to support the incoming infrastructure. All existing Cat cabling has been replaced with Cat6A cables, ensuring optimized network performance.

A new main fiber line has been established from the provider point into the building consisting of upgraded Ethernet cabling from IT closets to data drops, adding new IT outlets, and enhancing electrical outlets throughout the facility. Special attention has been given to providing additional normal, critical, and uninterrupted power supply outlets in IT closets. Also, the facility’s power distribution system was remodeled to meet the demands of the modernized infrastructure.