In accordance with one aspect, a medical body area network (MBAN) channel management system is provided. The MBAN channel management system includes at least one controller configured to identify an available set of channels to be used by a plurality of MBAN systems and to generate channel access rules describing a set of channels for each of a plurality of MBAN priorities. The channels of the set of channels are channels of the available set of channels. The plurality of MBAN priorities correspond to MBAN priorities assigned to the plurality of MBAN systems. The MBAN priorities assigned to the plurality of MBAN systems are based on patient acuity level. The at least one controller is further configured to communicate the channel access rules to the plurality of MBAN systems. An MBAN system of the plurality of MBAN systems uses a channel from the set of channels corresponding to the MBAN priority assigned to the MBAN system.

In accordance with another aspect, a medical body area network (MBAN) channel management method is provided. An available set of channels to be used by a plurality of MBAN systems are identified. Channel access rules describing a set of channels for each of a plurality of MBAN priorities are generated. The channels of the set of channels are channels of the available set of channels. The plurality of MBAN priorities correspond to MBAN priorities assigned to the plurality of MBAN systems. The MBAN priorities assigned to the plurality of MBAN systems are based on patient acuity level. The channel access rules are communicated to the plurality of MBAN systems. An MBAN system of the plurality of MBAN systems uses a channel from the set of channels corresponding to the MBAN priority assigned to the MBAN system.