An Overview Of IoT In Healthcare
The Internet of Things (IoT) is already transforming many industries, and healthcare is no exception. The market for IoT in healthcare is estimated to exceed $10 billion by 2024. IoT is gradually gaining traction and evolving with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 5G mobile wireless technologies. When combined with these innovative technologies, IoT has the potential to revolutionize the way care is delivered and received. Both patients and healthcare practitioners stand to gain from this advancement in technology.
Some applications include real-time monitoring of patients, remote diagnosis and treatment, automated inventory management, and much more. Adopting these technologies will significantly improve patient care and outcomes while reducing costs. Healthcare is at the beginning of a long journey with the Internet of Things, and the future looks very bright. Below is an overview of IoT in healthcare and how it has impacted our lives and work.
What Exactly Is IoT and Why Is It Important in Healthcare?
The term "Internet of Things" (IoT) refers to the increasing trend of connecting physical devices to the internet. By embedding sensors and other electronics into everyday objects, it's possible to collect data and remotely control these devices. For instance, you might use an IoT door lock to grant access to your home without being there in person. Making our everyday objects smarter and more connected can make our lives easier, safer, and more efficient.
IoT in the healthcare industry enables better data collection, patient monitoring, and a number of benefits. For instance, IoT-enabled devices can be used to monitor patients' vital signs remotely, reducing the need for costly and invasive in-person visits. The possibilities are endless, and the potential benefits are huge. Below are some IoT in healthcare examples.
Data Exchange
IoT allows medical practitioners to receive or upload up-to-date information about the patient during emergencies, in the ambulance, or even if the patient is at home.
Medical Devices
IoT-enabled medical devices are already transforming patient care. Medical devices that can collect and transmit data wirelessly allow patients to be monitored in real-time, regardless of location. By catching problems early, before they become serious, IoT-enabled medical devices have the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality rates significantly.
Wearables
Devices patients attach to their bodies to collect their vitals. This data is then transmitted to a central database via the internet, where healthcare professionals can analyze it. One of the significant benefits of healthcare wearables is that they allow for continuous monitoring of patients' health. This is particularly important for those with chronic conditions, as it can help to identify early warning signs of a deterioration in health. Additionally, because the data is collected over time, we can use it to track trends and identify patterns that may be indicative of a problem.
Telemedicine
The use of telemedicine has been on the rise in recent years, as medical technology has advanced to allow for more remote diagnosis and treatment. This technology enables patients to be monitored or treated remotely using electronic actuators and video cameras.
Applications of IoT in Healthcare
Healthcare is one of the most promising sectors for IoT due to its potential to improve patient care, enable early detection of disease outbreaks, and lower healthcare costs. But how exactly does IoT work in the healthcare sector?
As previously mentioned, IoT is a network of physical objects, devices, and other items linked to software, electronics, connectivity, and sensors, allowing them to collect and transfer data.
In the healthcare industry, these devices can collect patient data and receive information from medical practitioners. Different devices work together to send critical information that can help or even save someone’s life. An example is IoT healthcare devices to alert the healthcare facility when a senior falls down. The IoT device sends this critical information to the cloud so medical professionals can take action. They can check the patient’s status and assess what type of help is needed. Thus, IoT in healthcare vastly improves the patient’s health and the productivity of healthcare practitioners and hospital workflows.
IoT devices open a world of new opportunities for the healthcare industry. They can help to improve patient care by providing real-time data and feedback, enabling remote monitoring, and automating processes. Let’s look at some types of IoT devices used by the healthcare industry.
Smartwatch
In a world increasingly reliant on technology, it is no surprise that the healthcare industry is turning to smartwatches to improve patient care. Smartwatches offer doctors a convenient way to stay connected with patients and receive updates on their conditions. In addition, smartwatches can be used to track medical data and monitor vital signs. They can monitor heart rates, control diabetes, and detect seizures. Doctors can use this information to make better-informed decisions about treatment and improve the quality of care. For patients, smartwatches provide a convenient way to stay informed about their health. They can receive reminders about taking medication or scheduling appointments. In addition, they can use smartwatches to track their medical data and share it with their doctor. Smartwatches will play an increasingly important role in improving patient care as the healthcare industry continues to evolve.
Insulin Pens and Smart Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)
Insulin pens and smart Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) effectively manage diabetes. Insulin pens deliver insulin with each injection, which helps to keep blood sugar levels under control. Smart CGMs are worn on the body and continuously monitor blood sugar levels. They can provide real-time data that can be used to adjust diet and insulin doses. Both insulin pens and smart CGMs can help people with diabetes to live healthier lives.
Brain Swelling Sensors
This is a tiny sensor implanted in the skull to monitor brain injuries. They are used to monitor the brain's pressure and detect when it is rising. This information is used to treat patients who have suffered a brain injury or who have a condition that causes their brains to swell.
Ingestible Sensors
Ingestible sensors can be swallowed like a pill. Once inside the stomach, the sensor can measure various things, such as pH levels, temperature, and pressure. The data collected by the sensor is transmitted wirelessly to a patch worn on the skin. From there, it can be downloaded to a computer or smartphone. Ingestible sensors have the potential to revolutionize medicine by allowing doctors to collect real-time data from inside the body. For example, they could be used to monitor patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or ulcers.
Benefits of IoT in Healthcare
Better Data Collection
IoT in the healthcare industry has numerous benefits. The most significant advantage is that treatment can be improved because data collected by IoT healthcare devices are highly accurate, allowing for better clinical outcomes.
Fewer Errors
Medical facilities and practitioners will be able to reduce errors as all patient data can be quickly measured and uploaded to a healthcare cloud platform. AI-powered algorithms running on these IoT devices could also assist in making understandable decisions or recommendations based on existing data.
Reduce Costs
IoT in health also results in cost savings. Non-critical patients can remain at home while various IoT devices track and send all critical data to the health facility, leading to fewer hospital stays and doctor visits.
The Internet of medical things is thus likely to increase in the coming years, leading to improved patient care. They reduce costs, improve outcomes, and increase patient satisfaction.
A leader in the healthcare software industry, Vicert’s expertise lies in providing solutions that improve how healthcare is delivered. As the use of IoT devices in healthcare continues to grow, Vicert's services will help healthcare facilities maximize the benefits of these technologies. Book a call with us to learn more.
