The application of Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare has opened up new possibilities for transformation in the industry. This technology has enabled remote patient monitoring, leading to improved healthcare services and patient safety through continuous monitoring. Additionally, IoT has enhanced patient satisfaction and engagement by facilitating more efficient interactions with healthcare professionals. It also offers potential solutions for reducing hospital stays and cutting healthcare costs while ensuring better treatment outcomes. Understanding the advantages of IoT in healthcare is crucial for harnessing its potential.

 

IoT’s Impact on Healthcare Transformation

The impact of IoT on healthcare is profound, as it enables seamless connectivity in digital healthcare applications, enhancing user experience. The global Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) market is projected to reach a market capitalization of approximately $187.6 billion by 2028. Remote patient monitoring is a key aspect of IoT in healthcare, with predictions indicating that the number of RPM users in the US will reach nearly 70.6 million by 2025, driving the RPM systems market to a value exceeding $1.7 trillion by 2027. These statistics emphasize the scale of transformation IoT brings to healthcare.

 

How IoT Transforms Healthcare for Different Stakeholders

 Impact on Patients

Patients benefit from IoT in healthcare through the adoption of IoT devices, such as wearables like fitness bands and glucometers. These devices allow patients to personalize their healthcare routine by tracking various health metrics, including calorie count, blood pressure, medical appointments, and exercise data.

Impact on Doctors

IoT provides significant value to doctors by enabling remote patient monitoring, allowing them to track patient health with greater accuracy and efficiency. It also helps doctors ensure patient adherence to recommended treatment plans and enables proactive interactions. The data obtained from IoT devices further assists doctors in devising optimal treatment processes.

Impact on Healthcare Institutions

IoT’s impact on healthcare institutions is evident in asset monitoring, which aids hospitals in tracking the real-time location of healthcare equipment. It also allows for real-time analysis of medical staff deployment across multiple locations and supports efficient inventory management, including environmental monitoring and inventory control.

Impact on Insurance Companies

Insurance companies benefit from IoT in healthcare by using IoT data to enhance claims and underwriting operations. Analyzing IoT data helps detect fraudulent claims and improves transparency between customers and insurers.

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Most Popular Applications of IoT in Healthcare

Remote Patient Monitoring

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is one of the most common IoT applications in healthcare. It enables automatic collection of health metrics like temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate without requiring patients to visit healthcare facilities. IoT devices transmit this data to applications for patients or doctors to access. Algorithms analyze the data to recommend personalized treatment plans or send alerts, such as detecting irregular inpatient heart rates for timely intervention.

Heart-Rate Monitoring

IoT-based heart-rate monitoring devices offer mobility and consistent monitoring of patients’ heart rates. These devices have accuracy rates exceeding 90%, making them valuable tools in avoiding cardiac health problems.

Glucose Monitoring

IoT-enabled glucose monitoring devices continuously and automatically track glucose levels, reducing the need for manual record-keeping and providing timely alerts for abnormal glucose levels in diabetes patients.

Mood Monitoring Devices

IoT-based mood monitoring devices measure blood pressure and heart rate to assess an individual’s mental state. Advanced devices can track additional data, such as eye movements, to better understand mood variations.

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Innovative Applications of IoT in Healthcare

Ingestible Sensors

Ingestible sensors revolutionize healthcare by collecting data from digestive and other organ systems. These sensors offer insights into stomach pH levels and are easily passed through the human body.

Robotic Surgery

IoT-enabled robots capable of performing surgery with minimal invasiveness have significantly impacted the healthcare industry. These small, IoT-connected robots facilitate complex surgical procedures, leading to faster healing.

Real-World Examples of IoT Applications in Healthcare

– ZOLL Medical Corporation’s IoT-enabled cardiac monitor ensures seamless patient-healthcare provider connectivity.
– AliveCor’s heart rate monitoring devices, like the EKG device, detect various arrhythmias.
– Nexleaf Analytics’ ColdTrace system uses IoT to monitor vaccine refrigerators in rural health facilities, improving conditions for vaccinations in less developed countries.
– Pfizer utilizes IoT to support immuno-oncology research and the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
– Aeris Communications’ IoT-based platform helps healthcare providers interact with patients and ensure compliance with medical advice.
– Honeywell’s Genesis Touch platform connects patients with remote healthcare professionals and provides biometric data access through a dashboard.

 

Conclusion

IoT in healthcare offer groundbreaking improvements in healthcare services, patient experiences, and resource allocation. Patients, doctors, and healthcare institutions can all benefit from IoT’s transformative capabilities. By understanding the potential of IoT in healthcare and exploring its real-world applications, stakeholders can unlock the full benefits of this technology in revolutionizing the future of healthcare.