Internet of Things (IoT) in Healthcare. (Part 1)

IoT:

Internet of things (IoT) is referred to the ever-growing network of the physical objects that feature an IP address for internet connectivity and the communication that occurs between the objects and other internet-enabled devices and systems.

• The internet of things is a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers.

•  The internet of things has the ability to transfer data over a network requiring human to human or human to computer interaction.

•  Internet of things (IoT) is an ecosystem of connected physical objects that are accessible through the internet.

•  The main scope of IoT is that it can connect devices embedded in various systems to the internet. When devices/objects can represent themselves digitally, they can be controlled from anywhere, the connectivity then helps us capture more data from one places, ensuring more ways of increasing efficiency.

•  Internet of things also referred to as machine to machine (M2M), Skynet or internet of everything.

•  A thing in the internet of things can be a person with a heart monitor implant, an animal with a biochip transponder, or any other natural or man-made object that can be assigned an internet protocol (IP) address and it is able to transfer data over a network.

•  IoT enables devices have made remote monitoring.

HOW IoT HELP IN HEALTHCARE?

IoT IS undoubtedly transforming the healthcare industry by redefining the space of devices and people interaction in delivering healthcare solutions. IoT has applications in healthcare that benefit patients, families, physicians, hospitals and insurance companies.

IoT FOR PATIENTS:

• Wearables like fitness bands and other wirelessly connected devices like blood pressure and heart rate monitoring cuffs, glucometer etc.
•  IoT has changed people’s lives, especially elderly patients, by enabling constant tracking of health conditions.
•  This has a major impact on people living alone and their families.
•  On any disturbance or changes in the routine activities of a person, alert mechanisms send signals to family members and concerned health providers.

IoT FOR PHYSICIANS:

• By having a piece of monitoring equipment embedded with IoT, physicians can keep track of patients’ health more effectively.
• They can track patients adherence to treatments plans or any need for immediate medical attention.
• IoT enables healthcare professionals to be more watchful and connect with the patients proactively.
• Data collected from IoT devices can help physicians identify the best treatment process for patients and reach the expected outcomes.

IoT FOR HOSPITALS: 

• Apart from the monitoring patient’s health, there are many other areas where IoT devices are useful in hospitals.
•  IoT devices tagged with sensors are used for tracking the real-time location of medical equipment like wheelchairs, defibrillators, nebulizers, oxygen pumps and other monitoring equipment.
•  IoT enabled hygiene monitoring devices to help in preventing patients from getting infected.
•  IoT devices also help in asset management like pharmacy inventor control, environmental monitoring, humidity and temperature control.

IoT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES:

• Insurance companies can leverage data captured through health monitoring devices for their claims operations.
• This data will enable them to detect fraud claims.
• IoT devices bring transparency between insurers and customers in the underwriting, pricing, claims to handle, and risk assessment process.
• IoT devices can enable insurance companies to validate claims through the data captured by these devices.

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