Internet of Things in Healthcare Sector
Introduction
IoT in healthcare is expected to reach a market size of $10 billion by 2024, according to a Brandessence market study. Other significant technologies have an influence on this growth prediction as well. Along with the new, extremely fast 5G mobile wireless, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Big Data, IoT is gradually gaining acceptance and growing. The Internet of Things and these potent technologies working together will probably revolutionise the healthcare sector. For instance, the use of AI with 5G connectivity in healthcare might drastically alter how patients are watched and treated remotely.
Moreover, IoT will not only enhance patient health but also boost the productivity of healthcare industry workers.
What is IoT & why it is important in healthcare?
In a world, the Internet of Things (IoT) is a concept built on the idea of fully every-day computing, which is the processing of data connected to outside activities or things. Connecting electrical gadgets with microprocessors and sensors so they may communicate with one another is known as ubiquitous computing. IoT is similar to a ubiquitous network, except every electrical device on it has access to the Internet.
The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in the healthcare industry serves as a compelling example of how computing has become pervasive in various domains. For instance, it is possible to install hundreds of intelligent electronic devices in a hospital to continuously monitor patients' health, communicate with one another, make decisions, upload data to a cloud-based healthcare platform, Remote patient monitoring, increase efficiency, Reduce costs and Predictive analytics.
IoT in Healthcare Examples
How IoT can be used in healthcare effectively? Let’s study four Internet of Things healthcare examples below.
1. In critical scenarios, such as emergencies, patient data can be swiftly collected and transmitted to the cloud from various sources, such as ambulances or even patients' homes, ensuring that the most current information is readily available.
2. Medical devices capable of performing self-maintenance. Healthcare devices powered by IoT technology have the capability to self-monitor their components, detect and alert when thresholds are low, and establish communication with medical professionals and manufacturers.
3. IoT and wearable devices can facilitate direct communication between home patients and elderly individuals with healthcare facilities.
4. Telemedicine can be viewed as an early form of Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare, where patients can be remotely monitored and treated using video cameras and other electronic devices.
How IoT Works in Healthcare?
Let's find out how IoT functions usually to better grasp how it applies to healthcare. As was said above, an IoT device may be thought of as a gadget with a sensor that can communicate with the real world and transmit data to the Internet.
These medical gadgets may collect various patient data and solicit input from medical professionals. A successful example of Internet of Things in healthcare is continuous glucose monitoring for insulin pens used by diabetic patients.
All of these gadgets have the ability to connect with one another and, occasionally, conduct crucial actions that could offer quick assistance or even save a life. For instance As an example, in the event of an elderly person experiencing a fall, an IoT healthcare device can autonomously trigger actions such as notifying the healthcare facility for prompt assistance. An IoT healthcare device would communicate this vital information to the cloud after gathering passive data so that clinicians may act on it – view the general patient state, determine whether to call an ambulance, determine what kind of help is needed, and so forth.
The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare has the potential to greatly improve patient health outcomes, enable quicker responses in urgent situations, enhance medical staff productivity, and streamline hospital procedures.
Process
Let’s explore an IoT healthcare workflow example:
1. A sensor collects data from a patient or a doctor inputs data.
2. An IoT device analyses the collected data with the help of AI-driven algorithms like machine learning (ML).
3. The device decides whether to act or send the information to the cloud.
4. Healthcare professionals, including doctors, health practitioners, and even robots, can utilize the data provided by IoT devices to make informed and actionable decisions.
IoT Devices in Healthcare
While not all IoT devices necessarily require sensors, they do need to have a radio and a designated TCP/IP address to facilitate communication with the Internet. Once a device has Internet access, it can be classified as an IoT device.
Thus, a smartphone is an Internet of Things device. You can identify problems and enhance your health with the aid of the appropriate collection of healthcare applications on your smartphone. Apps that map moles on your skin using your camera and AI-driven algorithms are some examples of these. Other examples include applications for managing medications, exercising, sleeping, and yoga.
Smartphones are still smartphones, though. Its principal application is not healthcare monitoring. A specialised IoT healthcare gadget may accomplish much more.
1. Smartwatch:
Consumer electronics retailers sell wearables that have an Internet connection and a sensor. Some of them, like the iWatch Series 4, can even track your heart rate, manage your diabetes, aid with speech therapy, help you stand up straighter.
2. Insulin Pens and Smart CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring):
Insulin pens and smart continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices have the capability to monitor blood glucose levels and transmit the collected data to a dedicated smartphone application.
3. Brain Swelling Sensors:
Tiny sensors implanted in the cranium are utilized by brain surgeons to monitor severe brain injuries and prevent potentially fatal swelling. These sensors measure pressure on the brain and are designed to dissolve naturally within the body without requiring additional medical intervention.
4. Ingestible Sensors:
The patient swallows a small, easily digestible medical sensor that communicates a faint signal to a wearable receiver, which then delivers information to a specific smartphone app. Doctors can use this sensor to make sure patients always take their medication.
5. Smart video pills:
A smart pill is capable of capturing images as it travels through a patient's digestive system. It can then transmit the data gathered to a wearable device, which would then transmit it to a certain smartphone app. (or straight to the app). Additionally, smart tablets can provide remote visualisation of the colon and digestive system.
Benefits of IoT in Healthcare
IoT in the healthcare industry has countless benefits. One crucial benefit of IoT healthcare devices is that they can greatly enhance or optimize treatment outcomes by providing highly accurate data, which allows for informed decision-making.
Healthcare facilities and practitioners can reduce errors by rapidly measuring and transmitting patient information to a board of doctors or a healthcare cloud platform using IoT, ensuring accurate and timely data for informed decision-making.
The utilization of AI-driven algorithms on IoT devices can facilitate informed decision-making or offer suggestions based on available data.
Another great benefit of IoT in healthcare is reduced costs IoT in healthcare enables non-critical patients to remain at home while their health is monitored by various IoT devices that transmit essential information to healthcare facilities less hospital stays and doctor visits.
With detailed information received from many of IoT devices, health facilities will also be able to better their disease management. They’ll have more data in real-time coming in than ever before. Still, this requires a number of challenges.
Challenges of IoT in Healthcare
IoT in healthcare offers a lot of wonderful advantages, but there are also certain problems that need to be fixed. Without taking these difficulties into account, Internet of Things healthcare solutions cannot be considered for deployment.
1. Massive inputs of generated data
Huge volumes of data will be produced by having thousands of devices at a single healthcare institution and another thousand providing data from faraway places in real-time. Storage needs in the healthcare industry would probably increase significantly, from Terabytes to Petabytes, as a result of the data created by IoT. AI-driven algorithms and the cloud, when utilised appropriately, can aid in organising and making sense of enormous data, but this method takes time to develop. Therefore, it will take a long time and a lot of work to develop a large-scale IoT healthcare solution.
2. IoT devices will increase the attack surface.
IoT healthcare offers the sector a number of advantages, but it also exposes a number of security gaps. Hackers could get access to Internet-connected medical equipment and steal or even change the data. The notorious Ransomware virus may also be used to infiltrate a complete hospital network and infect the IoT devices. That implies that the patients' heart rate monitors, blood pressure readings, and brain scanners will be held captive by the hackers.
3. Existing software infrastructure is obsolete.
Many hospitals' IT systems are out-of-date. They won't let IoT devices be properly integrated. Healthcare establishments will thus need to update their IT procedures and utilise newer, more contemporary technologies. Along with advanced wireless and mobile networks like Advanced LTE or 5G, they will also need to take use of virtualization (technologies like SDN and NFV).
IoT in healthcare is not a standalone solution. It requires integration with other technologies to enable meaningful transformation in healthcare facilities. Along with IoT devices and networks, data, high-speed communication, and robust security and compliance measures are essential components for the successful implementation of IoT in healthcare. The convergence of these technologies has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry, bringing about significant advancements in patient care and outcomes.
The ultra-low latency speeds and enhanced mobility of 5G technology are poised to meet the requirements of IoT in the healthcare industry. This will enable smooth communication and data transfer between devices. AI-driven solutions will play a crucial role in analysing the vast amount of data collected from diverse devices, helping to make sense of the data lakes. Real-time data analysis using Big Data strategies and AI algorithms will facilitate critical health decision-making. Additionally, virtualization technologies will aid in reducing or eliminating outdated infrastructure in hospitals, leading to more efficient and cost-effective healthcare systems.
The combination of IoT and medical ERP software is driving the evolution of healthcare, and this transformation is expected to continue. In the near future, healthcare and IoT will be closely interconnected, fundamentally transforming the approach to healthcare and revolutionizing how it is delivered and managed. The smooth integration of IoT into healthcare processes will bring about significant advancements, revolutionizing how healthcare is delivered, managed, and experienced.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Internet of Things (IoT) has brought about significant advancements in healthcare, revolutionizing the way healthcare providers deliver care and patients manage their health. Through interconnected devices and systems, IoT has enabled real-time monitoring, remote patient care, predictive analytics, and improved patient outcomes.
IoT in healthcare has shown promising results in various areas, including telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, medication management, wearable devices, and smart hospitals. Telemedicine has enabled patients to access healthcare services remotely, bridging the gap between patients and healthcare providers, especially in remote or underserved areas.
Remote patient monitoring has allowed healthcare providers to monitor patients' health conditions in real-time, making it possible to detect any abnormalities early and provide timely interventions. Medication management through IoT-enabled devices has improved medication adherence, reducing medication errors and improving patient safety. Wearable devices have empowered individuals to take control of their health and wellness, monitoring vital signs, activity levels, and sleep patterns, and providing valuable insights for personalized healthcare. Smart hospitals, equipped with IoT-enabled devices and systems, have improved operational efficiency, patient flow, and patient experience, leading to better healthcare outcomes.
However, the adoption of IoT in healthcare also poses challenges, such as data privacy and security, interoperability, and regulatory compliance. Protecting patient data and ensuring the security of IoT devices and systems are critical to maintaining patient trust and privacy. Ensuring interoperability among different IoT devices and systems from various manufacturers is essential to enable seamless data exchange and collaboration among healthcare providers. Compliance with regulatory requirements, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, is crucial to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of patient data.
In conclusion, IoT has the potential to transform healthcare by improving patient care, reducing costs, and enhancing operational efficiency. With continued advancements in IoT technology and increased awareness of data privacy and security, the future of IoT in healthcare looks promising. As healthcare providers and policymakers continue to harness the power of IoT, it has the potential to reshape the landscape of healthcare, leading to better health outcomes for patients worldwide.
References:
[1] Halamka, J. D., & Tripathi, M. (2017). The HITECH Era in Retrospect. The New England Journal of Medicine, 377(10), 907-909. doi:10.1056/NEJMp1709851
[2] Kvedar, J., Coye, M. J., & Everett, W. (2014). Connected Health: A Review of Technologies and Strategies to Improve Patient Care with Telemedicine and Telehealth. Health Affairs, 33(2), 194-199. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2013.0992
[3] El-Gayar, O., Timsina, P., Nawar, N., & Eid, W. (2017). Mobile Applications for Diabetes Self-Management: Status and Potential. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 11(1), 5-12. doi:10.1177/1932296816676300
[4] Paré, G., Trudel, M.-C., Jaana, M., & Kitsiou, S. (2015). Synthesizing Information Systems Knowledge: A Typology of Literature Reviews. Information & Management, 52(2), 183-199. doi:10.1016/j.im.2014.08.008
[5] Chen, M., Ma, Y., Song, Y., Wang, L., & Luo, J. (2018). Internet of Things in Health Care: Perspectives and Challenges. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 5(6), 3615-3626. doi:10.1109/JIOT.2018.2856203
[6] Topol, E. (2019). High-Performance Medicine: The Convergence of Human and Artificial Intelligence. Nature Medicine, 25(1), 44-56. doi:10.1038/s41591-018-0300-7
[7] Wang, Y., Kung, L., & Byrd, T. A. (2018). Big Data Analytics: Understanding Its Capabilities and Potential Benefits for Healthcare Organizations. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 126, 3-13. doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2015.12.019
[8] World Health Organization. (2016). Atlas of eHealth Country Profiles: The Use of eHealth in Support of Universal Health Coverage. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/atlas-of-ehealth-country-profiles-the-use-of-ehealth-in-support-of-universal-health-coverage
[9] Istepanian, R. S., & Lacal, J. C. (2018). Emerging Mobile Communication Technologies for Health: Some Imperatives and Challenges. In Wireless Technologies for Ambient Assisted Living and Healthcare (pp. 1-25). Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-68557-3_1
[10] European Commission. (2019). IoT in Healthcare: An Overview of the Current Applications and Ethical Concerns. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/publication/eur-scientific-and-technical-research-reports/iot-healthcare-overview-current-applications-and-ethical-concerns
0 Comments