Internet of Things Shaping the Healthcare System

access_time October 18, 2019
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The internet of things (IoT) has drastically altered the manner in which we live and work, influencing in the process, every sphere of our activity. However, nowhere is its presence more profoundly manifest than in the healthcare sector, where apps, devices and people interact and stay connected to deliver healthcare solutions. With the availability of broadband internet and with sensors installed in a wide range of devices and gadgets, people are connected in real time helping to bring interaction to a new level. IoT is offering new tools as well as efficiencies that make up an integrated healthcare system that ensures patients are better taken care of, health costs are reduced and outcomes are improved. The Business Insider forecasts the growth of the installed base of healthcare IoT devices (wearable devices excluded) from approximately 95 million in 2015 to 646 million in 2020. The most commonly used medical devices in hospitals that can be connected to the networks include among others: Wearable External Devices– (biosensors that monitor physiological data with remote communication which can be used for telemedicine and inpatient monitoring). These devices monitor blood pressure, temperature, oxygen levels etc. Implanted Medical devices – these replace a missing biological structure or support a damaged biological structure or enhance an existing biological structure. Examples include cardio pacemakers, glucose monitors, implantable fusion pumps etc. Stationary Medical Devices– these include x ray machines, MRI machines etc Let us now take a look at the major benefits that healthcare organizations can derive from Internet of Things (IoT) implementation. Remote patient care facility Remote patient monitoring is one of the key benefits of IoT in healthcare. Doctors, physicians and nurses will all get a real – time visibility of the patient activity because of data emanating from sensors. According to the Census Bureau data, 15% of US population in 2015 was over 65 years old and they are increasingly susceptible to heart failure, obesity, diabetes etc. With IoT in place, physicians can better monitor these senior citizens remotely without the need to be physically present. Cost reduction IoT solutions help bring down healthcare costs in a substantial way. Due to the existence of sensors and network connectivity, physicians can monitor the health condition of patients remotely, even sitting in the comfort of their homes. This will lead to elimination of costly physician visits as also unnecessary hospital stays. Better treatment options With IoT connectivity, physicians are provided with vast amount of data generated from sensors about the physical condition of patients. They can then provide treatments based on these data feedbacks. Better maintenance of medical equipment Medical equipment are costly and they need to be well maintained to provide best results. IoT implementation helps medical professionals keep close watch on the condition of medical equipment. Additionally, if there is a malfunction of medical equipment they can arrange for alternative equipment immediately to provide for continuous service. Better management of drugs and medicine adherence IoT solutions provide medical staff with better management of diseases and provides them with the facility to check whether patients strictly follow doctors’ advice and adhere to medicinal intake directions and other treatment compliance procedure Security challenges pose problems, however With sensors on devices and network connectivity in place, huge volume of highly sensitive health information data is available and there is a need to maintain strict security of this data. Failure to do so may damage the reputation of concerned individuals. Besides the need to handle the security threat, handling of such huge volume of data could also strain the existing capability of data centers. .

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