How is IoT transforming healthcare?

When people talk about the Internet of Things (IoT) the potential to revolutionise IoT in healthcare isn’t always the top of the list of benefits discussed.

IoT is more than just smart lighting systems and fancy voice activated heating. It is also enabling great ways for healthcare to manage data efficiently and improve patient satisfaction. Here are some of the top ways IoT in healthcare is creating a clear path to modernisation.

Remote health monitoring

Before the rise of IoT, patients would have to travel to a healthcare facility for basic checks on progress indicators. Something we know is not always easy, possible or desirable following the pandemic. To support the desire to access healthcare remotely, IoT and the introduction of technology like fitness bands and other monitoring devices, a healthcare professional can remotely track their patients’ blood pressure, heart rate and other health data without their patient being present. This resolves issues like wait times and overloaded surgeries, while improving access to healthcare support. Healthcare professional can use this data to identify the most suitable treatment methods faster, vastly improving recovery times.

Realtime support

Certain fitness bands and monitors also record steps, calories, and alerts to encourage movement and offer prompts to the patient to take their prescribed medications when advised. This is a positive step forward, especially for elderly and vulnerable patients who live alone. Any disturbance or change in their routine will be identified by their device and can automatically notify a family member or emergency service to quickly help.

While RedCare alarms have been traditionally relied on to call for assistance should the patient ever need it, there are several pitfalls of these approach – and not just the reliance on the patient being able to access the alarms. With the , these lines will cease to operate without a change to the way they are connected to phone systems. IoT technology is the most suitable alternative for social healthcare officials to easily replace the outdated RedCare alarms.

Improved healthcare facility management

IoT is not only benefitting patients, staff in hospitals can also benefit from improved efficiency – saving wasted time and money. Devices with IoT sensors can be used to track the real time locations of vital medical equipment, such as defibrillators and oxygen pumps, as well as the deployment of medical staff to immediately contact and assign during urgent situations. IoT is also a key component for healthcare facilities to control their inventory and monitor environmental factors, such as temperature and hygiene.