IoT in Healthcare: How It Works, Benefits, Applications, and More

The healthcare industry is increasingly seeing Internet of Things (IoT) innovations. There are unique challenges medical facilities face, and the use of IoT in healthcare is bringing new ways of addressing those challenges.?

There is a wide range of IoT applications in medical care, such as cloud-connected medical devices, wearable sensors, security solutions, and environmental controls.?

The benefits of leveraging IoT in healthcare transforms the whole healthcare experience, enhancing the quality of care and improving patient outcomes. As a result, the healthcare industry is increasingly embracing IoT. As per a Brandessence market research, the IoT in healthcare market is expected to surpass $10 billion by 2024.?

What is IoT in Healthcare?

Internet of Things in healthcare refers to using connected devices in a clinic, hospital, or other medical facility. Some common IoT devices are smart digital signage, security systems, automated lighting, thermostats, and different sensors. Some of these IoT devices, when used in a healthcare context, contribute to patient care, safety, and comfort.?

Healthcare IoT technology may also mean the integration of medical devices into an IoT framework. IoT devices that are healthcare-specific are often differentiated from conventional IoT devices with the terms Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) and medical IoT.?

What is IoMT or Medical IoT?

IoMT or medical IoT includes devices like connected medical sensors, smart patient monitoring devices, and more. When conventional medical devices are integrated with Internet of Things technology, doctors can regulate and observe several elements of patient care more effectively.?

How IoT Works in Healthcare?

Following is the workflow of IoT technology in healthcare:

• Data from a patient is collected by a sensor, a nurse or doctor inputs the data.
• Algorithms driven by artificial intelligence (AI) like machine learning (ML) are used for analyzing the collected data.?
• The device decides whether it should act or send the data to the cloud.
• Health practitioners or doctors can make informed and actionable decisions according to the data that IoT healthcare solutions provide.?

What are the Benefits of IoT in Healthcare?

Reduced Costs: IoT enables real-time patient monitoring, which considerably lowers hospital stays, re-admissions, and unnecessary doctor visits.?

Faster Diagnosis of Diseases: Real-time data and continuous patient monitoring helps to diagnose diseases at an early stage, or even before the development of the disease, based on symptoms.

Improved Treatment: It allows physicians to make informed decisions based on evidence and brings complete transparency.

Proactive Treatment: Continuous monitoring of health allows to provide proactive medical treatment.

Equipment and Drugs Management: Tracking and tracing medical equipment and drugs is one of the healthcare industry's major challenges. Connected devices help them to be managed and used efficiently and cost effectively.?

Reduced Errors: Data generated by IoT devices facilitate effective decision making along with ensuring smooth healthcare operations with lowered errors, system costs, and waste.?

What are the Applications of IoT in Healthcare?

Following are some of the prominent applications of IoT technology in the healthcare industry:

• Hearables

These are modern hearing aids that have transformed how people with hearing issues interact with the world.?Hearables are nowadays compatible with Bluetooth, syncing your smartphone with it. The technology lets you equalize, filter, and add layered features to sounds of the real world. A great example of it is Doppler Labs.?

• Ingestible Sensors

These are sensors of the size of a pill, which monitor medication in our bodies and alert us if they detect any irregular conditions in our bodies. A good example of such sensors is Proteus Digital Health.?

• Healthcare Charting

IoT devices like Audemix minimize the manual work substantially, which a doctor does during patient charting. Such devices are powered by voice commands. They collect the patient's data.?

With the help of such devices, the patient’s data can be readily accessed for review. They save the work of doctors by around 15 hours every week.?

• Insulin Pens and Smart CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring)

These devices help with monitoring of glucose levels in the blood in real time and sharing the data over a dedicated mobile application. Diabetic patients can use these devices for tracking their blood glucose levels. They can even send this data to a doctor or the relevant medical staff.?

IoT is the Future of Healthcare Industry!

The use of IoT in healthcare industry is having a powerful impact on every aspect of the industry, leading to rewarding results. IoT is set to be widely adopted by healthcare facilities around the world.?

To get the fullest out of IoT technology in healthcare, medical facilities need to leverage quality IoT solutions and devices. There are several IoT solution providers out there that build customized IoT solutions for the healthcare industry. Getting in touch with such a solution provider can help healthcare facilities get the right IoT solutions.?