Carpe diem, or “seize the day” was likely not an expression coined with the Internet of Things (IoT) in mind. And yet, that’s exactly what’s happening in the healthcare industry.
Here are some of the primary ways the IoT is changing the face of healthcare:
Monitoring Options
The number of monitoring devices connected via the internet is now officially mind-boggling. Seniors and special needs patients can be monitored from anywhere using wearables, smart apparel and, in some cases, closed-circuit cameras.
- Infants’ movements and vitals can be overseen remotely.
- Consumers can track the steps they take in a day, their resting heart rates and calories they consume.
- Reports can be sent automatically to healthcare practitioners or printed out at the touch of a button.
Connected Devices
Many devices go beyond simple patient monitoring:
- Medical equipment can be managed remotely, including checking performance, running diagnostics, and conducting updates.
- Maintenance requirements can be anticipated in advance, such as automated ordering of oxygen refills.
- Patients can receive alerts to schedule doctor appointments, take medications, and perform regular self-tests such as blood glucose checking.
In clinical settings, connected devices can help track treatments, analyze drug efficacy, and enhance the results obtained by healthcare providers.
Data Collection
This doesn’t apply only to patients, but also to the efficacy of treatments and the performance of connected devices. The intelligence gathered provides invaluable data on how well a treatment is working, takes factors such as diet and exercise into account, and can generate an informed care plan as a result. Healthcare companies that aren’t aggregating all the data available and using it to improve products and services are missing a major opportunity.
Safety and Security
Advances in clinical-grade biometric sensors make it possible to verify identity beyond any reasonable doubt, which not only saves time but avoids errors such as giving the wrong medicine to the wrong patient. It also reduces the demand for human security officers to protect clinical environments, because authorized persons automatically gain access based on their biometrics.
Apps and Assistants
The number of mobile users is huge and keeps growing. Apps not only help to engage and keep healthcare consumers but serve as personal assistants and perform many of the functions of a nurse. These include monitoring the patient’s state of health, contacting medical professionals if necessary, and providing the patient with tips and recommendations.
For more marketing insights, call Wax Custom Communications at 305-350-5700 or visit waxcom.com.
