How IoT and Connected Devices are Leading the Healthcare Revolution

Technology is redefining the future of healthcare industry at lightning speed.

By Rutva Mankodi

Gateway TechnoLabs, India

Over the past few years, we have observed an exponential progress in the capacity and capability of new healthcare technologies representing the vision of a very different model of healthcare.

Technology is redefining the future of healthcare industry at lightning speed. The sync up between vast amounts of available data with the help of cloud computing and machine learning services is providing expert insight and analysis at a relatively low cost.

Connected medical devices

Healthcare is focusing more on inventing connected medical devices and adopting those devices to eliminate the existing flaws. IoT tech is getting much more attention, and positive approach and thus connected devices are adopted quickly in the healthcare ecosystem. IoT and connected medical devices will promote each other, being as interdependent technologies.

From a device that reminds to take medication at regular interval to checking blood pressure to taking a walk or maintaining the cardio time. These devices are making the life much easier and punctual by deploying effective measures under the principle of preventive healthcare. The applications connected to the medical devices have a guide which helps to know about the procedures, health tips, and other information.

Not only patient's life is getting better, but these medical devices are also helping healthcare staff. There are talking thermometers, band-aids to identify the recovery time of wound and a device(s) that works as a reminder to refill the prescribed medicines of the admitted patients.

Moreover, various applications are so smart that they can communicate with the patients verbally and keep updated about their health regimen. The app sends out notifications to the patients, and such apps are increasingly used by those with regular illnesses like blood sugar, blood pressure, and obesity patients. Similarly, many other groups of patients get benefited from such chatty clinical devices.

Smart Hospital

With the pace at which healthcare is accepting technology and bringing e-care into practice, it is predicted by 2020 the concept of the “Smart Hospital” will become a reality.

An optimized and automated process is the key to achieve smart hospital, where processes are built on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) environment and aimed at bringing better patient care compared to the currently available services. Also, it relies on the 'Fourth Industrial Revolution' a.k.a. Big Data revolution which takes the ownership of combining the data generated from cloud computing, big data and artificial intelligence which will replace the critical infrastructure management with smart tech.

Remote patient monitoring and consultation

Connected devices collect health data and via the internet, transfer that data to a doctor or store it in the cloud. Further, with the permission of patient or doctor, it can be made accessible to care, providers, nurses or medical consultants.

The health-related data can be anything related to vital signs, blood pressure, sugar levels, oxygen levels, cholesterol, electrocardiograms, etc. In the setup of remote patient monitoring, if any emergency arises where the patient needs treatment and medication immediately, he can easily connect with a doctor who is miles away and avail real-time consultation then and there.

To bring optimum results from the implementation of IoT and connected devices, healthcare sector and its tech leaders need to be active in adopting a vast array of technological innovations. Though it will not happen overnight, early adopters will reap the benefits of an early start.

About the Author:

Rutva Mankodi is an M.Sc (IT) from Gujarat University and currently working as a researcher with Strategic IT Solutions Group at Gateway Technolabs, India. She writes on retail tech, supply chain management, and automotive IT domain.