INTERNET OF HEALTHCARE THINGS

What is IoHT?

Internet of Healthcare things also known as internet of medical things is a network of connected computing devices that are frequently used to store patient information, such as ingestible sensors that broadcast information using the FHIR protocol over the internet. Such information is typically seen as a computerized patient care record.

Application of IoT in Healthcare:

 For patients

Patients can obtain individualized care with the help of wearable devices like fitness bands and other wirelessly connected equipment like blood pressure and heart rate monitor cuffs and glucometers etc. These gadgets can be programmed to remind users to keep track of their blood pressure changes, appointments, and many other things. IoT has altered people’s life, particularly those of elderly patients, by making it possible to continuously track medical issues. Families and individuals who live alone are significantly impacted by this. A person’s alarm mechanism alerts concerned family members and medical professionals to any disruption or changes in their regular activities.

For physicians

Physicians can more effectively monitor the health of their patients by employing wearables and other home monitoring devices that are IoT enabled. They are able to monitor how well patients ae following their treatment programs and whether they require emergency care. Healthcare personnel can interact with patients more actively thanks to IoT become more vigilant. Medical professions can choose the best course of therapy fort patients and achieve desired results with the use of data gathered from IoT devices.

For health insurance companies

With IoT connected intelligent devices, health insurers have a lot of options. Health monitoring device data can be used by insurance companies underwriting and claim departments. They will be able to identify candidates for underwriting and discover fraud claims thanks to this data. In the underwriting, pricing, claims-handling, and risk assessment procedures, IoT devices increase transparency between insurance companies and their clients. Customers will have sufficient visibility into the underlying reasoning behind every decision taken and the results of the process in light of IoT-captured data-driven decisions in all operational operations.

Types of IoMT devices: -

 Wearables-on the body

Patients can examine their vitals in real-time using biosensors to track their general health. These sensors can be implanted under the skin to give patients complete independence without endangering their health. Consumer health wearables and clinical-grade wearables are two subcategories of the wearable or on-body IoMT industry.

Consumer health wearables are technological advancements that measure health metrics for both individual use and sharing with healthcare professionals. Examples of these advancements include fitness bands, sports watches, activity trackers, and smart clothing. These gadgets are employed for medical tasks such monitoring blood pressure, glucose levels, and irregular heartbeats. Clinical-grade wearables, on the other hand, are controlled tools and systems that must be utilized with a doctor's approval. Most of these gadgets are made to control pain, enhance physical performance, and fix other health issues.

In hospitals and clinics

Huge equipment and gadgets with smart apps for patient monitoring, supply management, problem detection, etc. are both examples of in-hospital IoMT systems. In addition, hospitals use IoMT to control the supply and quality of medical equipment and to plan for staff mobilization across the facility.

Asset management, patient flow management, and environmental management are a few other ways that IoMT is used in hospitals and clinics (adjusting temperature and light to optimize conditions in different rooms). IoMT is being used by well-known MedTech companies like GE, Siemens, and Philips to diagnose and maintain imaging equipment including CT scanners and X-ray machines. The wearable defibrillator from Zoll, the land hygiene compliance system from Stanley Healthcare, and the GPS-based MyWay app for directions from Boston Children's Hospital are some examples of cutting-edge IoMT technologies used at hospitals.

Community IoMT

Community IoMT refers to the use of IoMT devices over a larger town or region. Mobility services for instance use equipment’s to track patients while they are traveling in a car. Paramedic’s and other first responders track patient’s metrics outside of hospital using emergency response intelligence systems.

Community IoMT technology that offer remote services in addition to mobile and emergency care. For instance, healthcare professionals can employ point of care devices in non- traditional medical settings like a field hospital and kiosks can be used to distribute medications to patients in location with little or no access to conventional infrastructure.

Advantages of IoT in Healthcare:

Enhanced Quality: - With the introduction of IoT in healthcare, the quality is enhanced, now patients will get customized treatments with better outcomes. Health care workers may now collect real-time data for better decision-making and, as a result, better evidence-based solutions by integrating healthcare solutions to technologies like Cloud computing, big data, and IoT.

Improve Patient experience: - Doctors can diagnose patients more accurately as they will have all the required data. By gathering and accessing real-time medical data from connected IoT devices for patients, clinicians can offer individualized care and improve the patient experience.

Reduced cost

Doctor visits that aren't necessary will reduce, and prices go down when healthcare providers offer the benefits of the connectedness of the healthcare solutions. Homecare services are also improving and reducing hospital visits.  Expensive systems can be brought down by combining automated procedures with data-driven approaches.

Challenges of IoMT Healthcare networks

• Data Security

IoMT implications has its own unique sets of difficulties. Health practitioners and patients exchange copious amounts of new data, making healthcare system vulnerable to intrusions. Due to the increased use of internet of things devices over the past few years, data breaches has increased in frequency.

However, by implementing real-time data monitoring, conducting cyber threat modelling and analysis, and using extremely secure networking technology, healthcare organization can increase their mitigation measures against cyber-attacks. By foreseeing danger and enabling preemptive action, artificial intelligence and machine learning can be effective tools in averting cyberattacks.

• Regulatory Compliance

Medical data is sensitive, therefore there are several rules on when and when it can be used, along with requirements for how the technology should be safeguard. As an illustration, the FDA published through recommendations on the management of cybersecurity in medical devices.

• Technical Challenges

The devices and software systems must be able to communicate securely with one another given the distributed nature of IoMT infrastructure. However, the security guidelines and rules of these kinds of interconnections are continually changing. If outdated systems are unable to keep up with these developments, this could lead to compatibility problems as new technologies are deployed.

Popular Trends in IoMT in 2022

• Nano-enabled medical products: - Due to the significant contribution to health improvement, nanotechnology based medical items such as medication, gadgets, and in vitro diagnostics have gained considerable popularity in recent years and are continuing to expand quickly in the global market. Since identifying, detecting, and monitoring aid to receive correct and timely treatment, these devices have the potential to significantly impact the treatment and diagnosis of disorders affecting the central nervous system, cardiovascular diseases, cancer etc.

• Personalized healthcare: - A bigger demand for individual healthcare has been generated by rising chronic condition occurrences and growing health awareness. By continuously monitoring their vital signs, wearable medical gadgets and biosensors help patients live more carefree life. IoMT device use has increased which has decreased the stain on healthcare institutions, decreased morality and improved patient health.

• Connected Inhalers: - There is a chance that severe pulmonary problems will cause episodes with no prior notice. IoT connected inhalers can assist patients in identifying the potential reasons of attack by tracking the frequency of attacks. Inhalers that are connected can also alter patients when they fail to use their inhalers correctly or at the proper time.

Graphical Representation of the market report based on Revenue generated and Market size value

The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) has increased at the rate of 19.9% from 2019 to 2025. The market size value in 2020 was USD 219.5 billion and it is estimated that by the year 2025 it will reach up to USD 534.3 billion.

Conclusion

A variety of IoMT devices can be miniaturized and utilized to display timely key care record information paperless, without the delays of a clinical information system. Devices like the one demonstrated can be used for this. When information is displayed at appropriate times, it is kept confidential and pertinent, enabling patients to receive better, more individualized care.

 About Rang Technologies:
Headquartered in New Jersey, Rang Technologies has dedicated over a decade delivering innovative solutions and best talent to help businesses get the most out of the latest technologies in their digital transformation journey. Read More...