What is IoT in healthcare? Benefits of IoT

The IoT (Internet of Things) field is growing rapidly, and more and more people rely on smart devices and smart building technology in their daily lives.

As the smart building market grows, IoT applications and devices are evolving to meet the increasing demands of a digital world. Wherever there is an opportunity for innovation, forward-thinking IoT vendors are developing creative solutions to improve comfort, convenience, security, and more.

Opportunities for IoT innovation in the healthcare industry are constantly emerging and evolving. Medical facilities face unique challenges, and IoT providers are developing new ways to address these challenges.

Healthcare IoT applications range from environmental controls and security solutions to wearable sensors and cloud-connected medical devices. The positive impact of IoT in healthcare is transforming the healthcare experience, improving patient outcomes and improving the quality of care.

IoT

IoT stands for “Internet of Things”. IoT includes any device that uses an internet connection to transfer or collect data, control a process, or pass information to other devices.

Consumer IoT devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Home are on the rise. It is estimated that 3.5 billion people (about 44% of the world’s population) own smartphones. Most people rely on the Internet of Things every day, and applications are growing across all industries, including education, data centers, hospitality, and healthcare.

IoT in healthcare

Healthcare IoT simply refers to the connected devices used in a hospital, clinic, or other medical environment. Common IoT devices contain smart thermostats, automated lighting, security systems, digital signage, and many kinds of sensors. In healthcare settings, some of these devices play a unique role in patient care, comfort, and safety.

Healthcare IoT technology can also refer to medical devices integrated with an IoT framework. Health-specific IoT devices are often differentiated from traditional IoT technology by the terms “Medical IoT” and “Medical Internet of Things” (IoMT).

There are a variety of ways the IoT is currently being used in healthcare, and there are also ideas and aspirations for future applications. IoT and IoMT applications are continuously evolving as technology becomes more powerful and sophisticated.

IoT Use Case #1: How IoT Enhance Patient Outcomes & Comfort

In hospitals and other care facilities, the environment can be unbearable for patients. A study published in the Journal of Health Environments Research and Design found that patients and their families value privacy, accessibility, and comfort in hospital rooms. Another priority was safety. Studies show that increased patient comfort can lead to less stress and faster recovery.

IoT solutions like smart thermostats and customizable lighting controls in hospital rooms offer more convenience for patients and more control for caregivers. Making a room brighter facilitates nursing tasks and procedures, while dimming the lights makes the room quieter and more comfortable for the patient. Automatic blinds provide similar light control, allowing patients to experience the health and mood benefits of a sunny day.

Sensors in beds can monitor sleep patterns and alert staff if something isn’t right. A distressed patient may not be able to alert staff, but a bedside sensor can detect sudden movement and send an automated alert to a doctor or nurse. In a connected IoT ecosystem, a bedside sensor could also be integrated with lighting in the patient’s room or a color-indicator light outside the room.

Wearable technology is another useful IoT solution that can improve patient outcomes by providing real-time data, trends, and alerts on potential health issues.

IoT Use Case #2: How IoT Assists Physicians in Making Better Decisions

IoT devices and systems can also help physicians make informed medical decisions and offer better service to patients. IoMT devices such as connected medical sensors enable data collection without physical examination.

Wearable IoT technology enables remote health monitoring. Physicians can reliably track vital signs, physical activity, and other things that can aid in adjustments to treatment plans or other procedures. Examples of wearable IoMT devices are:

-Devices that report real-time location data and vital signs to improve the safety of elderly patients and patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia

-Smart belts that eliminate falls

-Smart pills, or tiny swallowable sensors that reveal data about patients’ stomach fluids

With devices that upload data directly and instantly to a cloud database, an IoT system can collect information and generate reports, allowing doctors to quickly spot trends. Faster and more comprehensive data access also enables better collaboration between specialists.

IoT Use Case #3: How IoT Makes Hospitals and Healthcare Enables Secure

Many traditional IoT security solutions can be used to make hospitals and healthcare resources secure for patients and staff:

-Smart locks and security systems allow protocols to be executed according to preset schedules, such as lockdown scenarios.

-IoT maintenance sensors can be used to alert facility managers to potentially dangerous leaks and other hazards.

-Temperature sensors ensure that food, blood, and medication are stored safely.

-Occupancy sensors monitor waiting areas and alert staff when capacity is approaching so critical patients can be redirected to other hospitals.

-Digital guidance systems make orientation in hospitals easier.

-Automatic UV disinfection systems make waiting rooms and common areas more secure and more hygienic.

Benefits of IoT in healthcare

The benefits and positive impact of IoT in healthcare are various and varied:

-Increased patient comfort and convenience creates better patient satisfaction and quick recovery times.

-IoT healthcare devices, wearable technology and data access enables physicians to monitor patients with greater precision and provide greater-informed treatment.

-IoT security systems improve safety for patients, physicians and staff.

-UV light sanitation systems make spaces clean and prevent illness.

Another advantage of Smart Hospital IoT solutions: future security. Although there is an initial investment associated with implementing an IoT infrastructure, installing devices, and training employees on software systems, the value only increases over time. Once an IoT ecosystem is in place, it’s easy to combine new IoMT devices as they are developed. An IoT-enabled smart hospital will quickly be years ahead of similar institutions that choose not to implement IoT devices and solutions.

Conclusion

As healthcare IoT grows and IoMT devices evolve, we will see healthcare facilities become more advanced, offering better outcomes for patients, better experiences for patients and visitors, and better working environments for doctors.

With more devices and data, we will gain new insights into the medical environment, patient care, and treatment options. Access to data will enable physicians to spot trends and discover new aspects of healthcare that were previously difficult to understand and exploit.