IoT Solutions in Healthcare Industry Show Strong Adoption Signs

undefined

Did you ever wonder why we use the term ‘smart’ when talking about IoT?

Because it saves the patients from the hard work. Going for a consultation to a hospital when they have an important meeting is hard work, visiting a clinic to get the health parameters checked is hard work, and staying overnight in a hospital for continuous monitoring of their heart rate and glucose level is again hard work.

If technology can’t replace hard work with convenience, it’s no technology. But IoT is for real. The Internet is breathing life into things and turning them into data-crunching devices. Pens, curtains, glasses, fans, watches, shoes, and whatnot–IoT is reviving the use of our day-in-day-out devices.

We are officially entering into the era of smartness, and hard work is of a bygone age.

So, let me ask you a question.

Where would the healthcare industry be without IoT solutions?

A decade back.

Without IoT solutions in healthcare industry, it would time-travel back to the moment when healthcare was costly and less accessible. To say the least, that was not the high point of healthcare. Availing consultation was a task, which is being corrected with the Internet of Things.

IoT solutions in healthcare industry are setting new bars with better accessibility and convenience for patients. The true transformative potential of the healthcare industry is finally sprouting as more possibilities are emerging.

Powerful devices in healthcare with smart insulin pens, asthma monitors, and connected inhalers offer insights about patients’ health by tracking glucose level, heart rate, and blood rate. This is possible through biosensors, smartwatches, and smart bands, which offers timely updates and remote monitoring facilities.

The importance of IoT solutions in healthcare industry hinges on the following characteristics:

  • Connectivity
  • Things
  • Ecosystem
  • Data
  • Action
  • Communication
  • Intelligence

Despite being used for inexpensive consumer devices to high-end solutions, IoT still in the nascent stage. It still holds immense potential, and the healthcare industry is at the forefront of the IoT revolution.

IoT’s Evolution is Healthcare’s Revolution

5G is on the horizon, which implies that the IoT solutions are turning more real and niche-specific. During the onset of the pandemic, the term remote gained significant popularity. An in-person consultation is gradually becoming a thing of the past after being replaced by remote consultations.

We have identified the six most disruptive areas where IoT solutions have reinforced their presence in the healthcare industry:

 

a). Virtual Hospitals:

Thanks to the prowess of IoT technology that we can build hospitals without walls. Outpatient care doesn’t need to be in the clinic. Healthcare professionals can deliver remote care to patients, thereby reducing space consumption to a great extent. 

The concept of virtual hospitals has gained its true stature during COVID-19. With virtual hospitals in place, patients with mild symptoms can stay at their home without compromising on the quality of treatment.

b). Wearable Biosensors:

Change in heart rate and glucose level are the strong determiners of an existing illness. Hence, if these parameters are constantly checked, users can avail timely care and save themselves from any extreme situation. 

Given this, wearable biosensors are introduced with an intense focus on their size and weight for monitoring vital parameters such as heart rate, glucose level, temperature, and breathing rate. These parameters are capable of detecting the early signs of health deterioration among patients staying in isolation.

c). Connected Inhalers:

In order to keep the respiratory conditions in check, connected inhalers are making in-roads as critical IoT solutions in healthcare industry. These connected inhalers have an app of their own, which provides deep insights to users about their conditions. The same data is shared with the medical practitioners, who can gauge the severity of the patient and decide the next course of treatment.

Connected inhalers can be wirelessly paired with a smartphone or a tablet for the transfer of data. Additionally, it also allows patients to add the time of medication. Using the smart device, patients are able to gain more control over identifying triggers and take preventive measures.

d). Smart Watch Monitoring:

The fierce competitors in the space–Apple, Samsung, and Google– help assist and monitor health. Apple is leading the cohort by offering myriads of features to embark patients on the journey of convenience in health. It started with the monitoring of heart rate. Now, even tracking calorie loss is possible. In a recent update, Apple announced that its smartwatch possesses extended capabilities to measure the blood oxygen level to detect irregularities.

In addition to introducing new features and parameter tracking abilities, these smart watches are focused on improving the accuracy of their existing components. This offers two-fold benefits–new capabilities are being explored, and patients get near-to-accurate readings.

e). Smart Insulin Systems:

Smart insulin systems prove to be a game-changer IoT solutions in healthcare industry. We are known to how a diabetic person requires a prick on the finger to gauge blood glucose levels. Upon identifying the blood sugar level, medical practitioners can determine the quantity of insulin.

The automated and cloud-connected artificial insulin system is produced as a handheld device in conjunction with an insulin pump to ensure the delivery of required insulin. The smart insulin system helps prevent severe conditions among people suffering from diabetes.

f). Smart Elderly Assistance Systems:

The geriatric population, living without any care or assistance, can use the IoT technology for family members to track all the moves and habits. These consumer-oriented smart devices help the elderly stay safe and call for need when their health conditions become extreme.

These smart assistance systems also find applications for pregnant women and people residing in the rehab canters. The medical practitioners consulting such individuals can timely receive an update about their movement. In case of no movement, the medical practitioners can intervene and identify the underlying issues. Besides this, dual working households with pets and/or young kids can use this technology to ensure the safety of their family members.

Know how an IoT solution is relevant for your healthcare business.

Find out

IoT for Patients: Better Prospects for Preventive Care

https://www.trootech.com/backendundefined

It is one thing when a business uses technology and another when it gets narrowed down for the use of consumers. IoT solutions in healthcare industry are gradually being handed over to patients in the following ways:

Better Patient Care:

The ratio of doctor to the patient would always remain low. The developed countries still have better access to healthcare. While moving on to the developing and underdeveloped countries, we can easily identify the pressure on a handful of doctors responsible for handling a large pool of patients. In such a case, IoT solutions in healthcare industry replace the need for in-person visits and overdo the quality of patients care.

Preventive Care > Curative Care:

While the traditional healthcare system is concentrated on treating the illness of patients, the technology-led healthcare system is focused on curative care. Patients don’t know about a growing illness at its early stage. They only get to know about it after they suffer from any kind of symptom. Hence, when users have a device to monitor the key parameters of their health, preventive care becomes possible. IoT solutions offer deep insights into every minute of a users’ day through the data obtained from the smartwatches and wearable bands.

Improved Emotional Support:

Patients encounter multiple limitations while staying in the hospital for less severe illnesses–food, number of visitors, lack of comfort, etc. In such a case, IoT solutions emerge as a channel to help healthcare professionals track the vital parameters using the IoT devices while the patient is at home. In addition, telemedicine facilities empower patients to consult their doctors quickly.

IoT Solutions for Doctors: Switching to Convenience

We have always known IoT as a tracker. However, it also serves as a crucial instrument for enabling pill reminders, drug management, and medical equipment control. Below are some of the following benefits of IoT solutions for doctors:

Reduced Overheads:

According to a study by National Broadband Plan, Electronic Health Record System, when coupled with the Remote Patient Monitoring System, can save nearly USD 700 Bn in the next 15 years. With the proper integration and usage of IoT technology, doctors and medical practitioners can reduce their overhead costs.

Increased Accuracy:

Doctors and medical professionals receive access to the data coming from real-time and legit sources, which makes it reliable to leverage to chart the next course of treatment for patients. In addition, data obtained from IoT devices serve as a pivotal tool even in the future. 

Expedited Healthcare:

Long gone are the days when availing healthcare demanded planning, scheduling, and waiting in the queues. With IoT technology, doctors can check into their personalized apps and release their availability for patients to book an appointment and seek direct consultation. Patients can use telemedicine facility and IoT technology to share data about their health for doctors to start immediate treatment.

IoT Solutions for Investors: Pick Up the Early Slice of Growth

Growing healthcare expenses are one of the biggest challenges faced by the healthcare industry. As a result, IoT solutions in the healthcare industry serving as a game-changer technology to improve patient outcomes and enable better cost-cutting dimensions.

Numerous studies are coming to the fore, claiming the lucrativeness of healthcare IoT solutions. Let’s explore them one by one:

IoT can be a Saviour and Saver for Healthcare Expenses:

With the increasing use of sophisticated processes, focus on hygiene, and patient participation, the cost of the healthcare industry is dumbfoundingly rising at a rapid pace. No matter how personalized the physical consultations are, they turn out to be expensive. Hence, telemedicine facilities assisted with remote diagnostic tools help reduce hospital admissions. This helps further curb the cost of the industry.

Since every eye is focused on healthcare, given the impact of the pandemic, investors are extending their financial support to extract long-term benefits out of it.

Wearables = Healthcare:

Did you know that only 30% of wearable devices are used elsewhere while nearly 70% of these are dedicatedly used in the healthcare industry? The ongoing penetration of IoT technology in the healthcare space is at all new levels. As we speak, more healthcare institutions are inclining towards IoT to save time, improve processes, and maximize their influx potential. Hence, investors, who act as an early bird can definitely catch the healthiest worm.

Alert: Whopping Growth Ahead:

In the year 2016, nearly 26 Bn IoT devices were up and running. It is estimated that by 2025, the number of devices will grow to 75 Bn. Healthcare is the triangle region for IoT. Entrepreneurs and investors can capitalize on the fast-growing health tech industry.

Investors are looking at healthcare businesses using technology and making the most out of it through investments.

True Transformation: IoT Personalized for the Healthcare Industry

The healthcare industry is transforming at all three fronts–patients, doctors, and investors, and we can’t thank the IoT technology enough. It is easy for patients to forget their medication doses. Doctors can make a note of the times when patients have not taken their medications and raise a flag when a patient exhibits potentially dangerous behaviour.

The well-established healthcare companies, leading the pack, are at the forefront of accepting the IoT solutions to gain the most significant slice of the market. For instance, Apple Watch recently received approval from FDA for its electrocardiogram integrated feature in its Series 4 along with a menstrual cycle tracking functionality. Numerous startups and companies are emerging in the space to disrupt the industry by bringing the following transformation:

a). Automated Medication Dispensing System:

The medical dispensers are implanted within patients. The automated system dispenses the medication in steady doses throughout the day. In case the medicines are about to get over, patients will receive a notification to refill them. In addition, doctors can find out the number of missed doses and decide on the next steps.

b). Real-time Activity Tracker during Cancer Treatment:

In order to disseminate proper treatment to a patient suffering from Cancer, thorough information about their body types, age, weight, their reaction in certain conditions, etc., matter the most. Hence, doctors are increasingly relying on the data obtained from the activity trackers to find out their movements, heart rates, appetite, fatigue levels, and other fitness parameters. The doctors can suggest the improvements required in the routine and get started with a practical course of treatment.

c). Smart Medical Alert Systems:

Patients staying in isolation, children, elderly, or disabled people can use the smart medical alert systems. The system is available in the form of a wearable. Users can put it on, and their peers or medical professionals receive timely details about their conditions by having insights about their movements.

d). Ingestible Sensors:

Ingestible pill-like sensors are gaining a lot of popularity. These relay information about the internal functions of the body, such as irritable bowel movement, colon cancer, etc. Besides providing an accurate diagnosis, ingestible sensors also detect the medication dosage and keep doctors posted about the same.

e). Depression and Mood Monitoring System:

We have seen numerous meditation apps like Headspace and Calm developed with mood trackers. Before and after a meditation session, these apps prompt users to add their moods. However, in most cases, users randomly pick a mood or skip adding it on the board. As a result, proper insights can not be obtained. On the contrary, IoT solutions in healthcare industry can address these challenges by measuring the blood pressure level and heart rate to extract information about the mental state of a person.

f). Automated Hand Hygiene Monitoring System:

Traditionally, there is no practical way to identify the hand hygiene of users, which is the root cause of infections. The IoT solutions in healthcare industry for ensuring hand hygiene conditions can remind users to wash their hands at a definite interval of time in clinics and hospitals to reduce the risk of infections and transmission of contagious diseases.

Know how to turn IoT solutions favourable for your healthcare institution.

Request for IoT app development

Top Trends: Product and Service Market Segmentation

Once on the verge of doubts and confusions, IoT devices are entering mainstream solutions in the healthcare sector. Numerous trends are encircling the technology to engender a new era for the industry with the intersection of IoT technology.

Below are some of the influential IoT trends in the healthcare industry:

Which Geography Homes the Highest Number of Healthcare IoT Solutions?

North America, consisting of countries such as the United States and Canada, holds a dominant position when it comes to the utilization of IoT solutions in healthcare industry. Factors such as technological advancements, high investments in healthcare facilities, the concentration of key players, and easy accessibility to sophisticated infrastructure make North America the leading geography for the growth of IoT solutions in healthcare industry. In addition to this, the Asia Pacific region is quickly adapting to technological trends, as medical tourism is rising.

Which are the Key Applications of IoT Solutions in Healthcare Industry?

IoT solutions are basically used for the tracking and monitoring of various parameters for assisting remote monitoring facilities. The healthcare professionals can track the activities of patients, who are going to be under the scissor or just underwent surgery. The trackable inhalers, wireless sensors, heart monitors, and similar activity trackers are the key applications of the IoT solutions in healthcare industry.

Which Healthcare Institutions are Availing IoT Solutions?

IoT solutions are evenly distributed in the healthcare space. To put this into perspective, startups, mid-level clinics, and an established chain of hospitals are leveraging the potential of IoT technology. The nascent clinics and independent medical practitioners rely on IoT technology to offer remote care to patients, while freeing up space for critical patients. Increasing outpatient centres are yet another crucial end users of IoT solutions in healthcare industry. The established hospitals usually leverage the IoT solutions for patients in their premises through the smart bed and smart devices.

What are the Practical Examples of Key IoT Solutions in Healthcare Industry?

The IoT solutions in healthcare industry have been redefining numerous aspects for automating and controlling the way care is delivered. The global forces operating in the healthcare industry are driving the beneficial changes. IoT solutions have and are reshaping the healthcare industry by taking preventive measures and improving the rates of curative outcomes.

Here are some companies disrupting the healthcare industry for the better:

Dexcom’s Glucose Monitoring System:

Given the increasing demand for diabetes control products, Dexcom came up with IoT solutions in the form of a Glucose monitoring system. The blood sugar monitoring system includes an under-skin sensor, a transmitter, and a mobile app. The sensor provides the information for about 288 per day and provides continuous monitoring and real-time diabetes tracking and management.

SemTech LoRa’s Detection Network:

Usually, patients and individual staying alone in isolation often suffer from a fall. But SemTech holds the answer. The IoT solutions in healthcare industry provide a low power wide-area network for the identification of fall among individuals. The LoRaWAN is connected to other LoRa devices, even up to a distance of 30 Kms. The real-time alerts and notifications are sent to the medical professionals and close relatives of individuals for them to reach out to the patient, disabled person, or elderly.

HearScreen Smartphone Audiometer:

The HearX group is a leading player in the healthcare industry have that facilitates a cost-effective and clinically legit way of screening patients suffering from hearing loss with minimal resources. The Hear Screen smartphone audiometer takes less than a minute to provide results. The test can be taken in multiple settings–schools, college, nursery, workplaces, and community centres for early detection of hearing loss.

More About Author

https://www.trootech.com/backendundefined

Vishal Nakum

Vishal Nakum is a tech enthusiast with a passion for exploring the latest developments in the world of technology. He has a keen interest in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Blockchain, and enjoys keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements in these fields. Vishal is an avid learner and is always on the lookout for new ways to expand his knowledge and skills. He is also a creative thinker and enjoys experimenting with new ideas and concepts. In his free time, Vishal enjoys playing video games and reading books on technology and science.