The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of connected sensors, electrical devices, cameras, and other technological devices. These are programmed to enable automation for connected devices through the IoT.
Smart TVs, refrigerators, and air conditioners are a few examples of IoT devices that we use and see frequently. We can send commands to these devices using an app on our smartphone. We also track our heart rate, blood pressure, and walking distance using a variety of portable IoT devices, including smartwatches and wristbands.
All of this is made possible by the brilliant fusion of machinery and technology to create an IoT product.
Benefits of using IOT in healthcare
Facilitate the development of equipment that is more specialized and patient-focused.
Patients will have better access to data and individualized care.
Reduce the risk of medical errors and improve efficiency.
Reduce the number of patient hospital visits.
Why is the Internet of Things (IoT) the future of healthcare?
The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked discussions about the future of IoT in healthcare and how it can safely connect healthcare professionals and patients. Hospitals and clinics had to use telehealth immediately to treat some patients throughout the pandemic.
IoT devices depend on connectivity for communication and data transfer between patients and caregivers. Introducing a 5G network is a massive leap for the future of IoT in healthcare, as these networks are at least 100 times faster than the traditional 4G networks.
The healthcare industry is using IoT applications to
Assist patients in taking their medication as prescribed at home.Monitor physical activity and caloric intake.
Keep a close eye on patients’ health without having to be present in person.
Monitor sleep to track heart rate, oxygen levels, and movements for high-risk patients.
Monitor the temperature and blood pressure of patients.
Inform patients and medical professionals when blood sugar levels change.
Together with recent developments and progress, this new pandemic experience will boost IoT adoption and persuade people to use the technology who might have previously shunned it.
Scope of IoT in Healthcare
Remote monitoring: Using specialized hardware and software, doctors will be able to read data from their patients' medical cards in real-time to get a better understanding of how their health is doing.
Wearables: There are products available on the market that can record data about a patient's daily activities and track them over time. These tools provide patients with information about their physical activity. Since the doctor would receive the patient's information immediately, they could also help prevent emergencies.
Asset tracking: The Internet of Things (IoT) can assist hospitals by offering controllers and functions for their essential equipment, as any flaw in the equipment could be fatal. The staff will be able to easily monitor the equipment and find the flaws to lower the possibility of inadvertent treatment.
Better Monitoring and Reporting: IoT enabled real time monitoring can save lives in medical emergencies like asthma attacks and heart attacks, among other things. The connected device can gather crucial information about patients' health and transfer it instantly to the doctor. According to a study by the Centre for Connected Health Policy, remote supervision led to a 50% decrease in the re-admission rate of patients.
Connectivity from beginning to end: With the help of healthcare mobility solutions, IoT can automate the patient care workflow. It makes healthcare delivery more efficient while enabling interoperability, machine-to-machine communication, data movement, and information exchange. Hospital staff can identify early symptoms of illness in patients using these devices.
Data analysis: IoT devices can quickly gather, report, and analyze large amounts of data, reducing the need for storage. This will enable medical professionals to concentrate on the pertinent information needed to treat the patient. The data driven insights will help doctors make decisions more quickly.
Alerts and tracking: In situations where there is a risk to life, prompt alerts can be important. IoT enables medical devices to collect crucial data and transmit it in real time to doctors. Regardless of the location or time, the reports offer accurate assessments of the patient's condition.
Lower costs: Patients will be able to consult doctors from the comfort of their homes thanks to connected devices and wearables. The frequency of visits for various tests and examinations will reduce. Patients will benefit by saving time and money in this way.
Medication Management: Tracking medications will be easy with the aid of smart pill bottles. The IoT enabled medication management procedures will give doctors access to the necessary analytics for providing patients with better care.
IoT is the solution for healthcare management
The future of healthcare is undoubtedly dependent on the power of the Internet of Things. IoT will revolutionize the way healthcare is delivered by allowing for remote monitoring and communication, automation, and the collection of massive amounts of data that can be used to improve patient outcomes.
There are also some challenges when using IoT in healthcare; the interconnected nature of IoT devices makes it difficult to secure them from malicious attacks and data breaches. With vast amounts of data generated by IoT devices, managing and processing this data can be a challenge. Many IoT devices are battery-powered and require regular charging, making long-term usage difficult.
However, there are more advantages of IoT that outweigh the challenges. IoT help healthcare providers improve the overall quality of care. As discussed, IoT create a connected healthcare system where data is shared between patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. This data is also used to make more informed decisions about a patient’s health and treatment.
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