The desire to heal has long driven advances in technology, but while access to healthcare is a fundamental right, experts say we are approaching a world where basic healthcare will become out of reach for millions of people, even as populations age and chronic diseases rise.

Today, the massive potential when it comes to diagnostics and disease management is already being realized, and IoT technology and devices are being used in myriad ways to improve healthcare. Safety and efficiency, empowering patients, and enabling person-centered care are among the benefits, as well as chronic disease management, remote clinical monitoring, assisted living, preventive care, and personal fitness monitoring.

But, while healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors of IoT there remains a lot to be done.

How IoT is changing the face of healthcare

IoT technologies are already having an enormous impact on the global healthcare system.

From smart sensors and medical device implantation to expediating the delivery of care and allowing physicians to spend less time on administration and more time on consultation and treatment, IoT technologies are changing how we deliver healthcare and two-thirds of healthcare operators and organizations have already introduced IoT-enabled devices

The reduction of the barrier entry for IoT devices has led to increasing integration with existing systems. This includes smart hospital infrastructure, along with data that can be utilized to better treat patients while also detecting patterns in the health of patients, which in turn allows for preventative healthcare.

Spending for IoT in healthcare is predicted to reach more than $530 billion by 2025 at an annual growth rate of 19.9%.

There is a global need for reliable, cost-effective healthcare and technology can serve as a powerful facilitator. Populations are aging, and the number of chronic, non-communicable diseases are on the rise.

While headway is being made when it comes to affordable and efficient care, there are still a number of challenges to be addressed.

The Overview

The need for intelligent connected healthcare is huge: in the US alone, medical error is the third largest cause of death, with roughly 250 thousand patients losing their lives annually.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the global elderly population, which will reach 1.2 billion by 2025, will need real-time patient monitoring systems. And the global shortage of physicians is expected to reach 100,000 by 2030.

The most common use of IoT technology in healthcare is patient monitoring, followed by remote operation and control, and location-based services.

Energy meters, imaging devices, and x-rays are also benefiting from IoT, with increased innovation is cited as a top benefit, along with visibility and cost savings.

60% of healthcare organizations have already introduced IoT into their facilities, and 52% of hospitals are using three or more connected health technologies.

Globally, an average of 12% of people use a connected health device, e.g. a wearable, a heart monitoring device, or an app. Many healthcare devices fall under the category of ‘wearables’, such as Fitbits and other health and exercise trackers.

But there are also any number of devices that go well beyond counting how many steps we take each day, including advancements in sensors and machine learning to data playing an increasingly critical role in medical research.

In a study of heart patients who received messages related to their condition through an app, hospital admissions decreased by 16%. 74% of people believe it is easier to share lifestyle information if they see it as a way to help medical professionals treat patients more effectively.

Some say they would be willing to share dietary and exercise information if they could receive tailored information in return. 50% of people said they would be comfortable contacting their physician digitally, and 55% said they would share information digitally if it resulted in cost savings.

68% of physicians say that at-home diagnostic testing helps drive better patient outcomes. It is predicted that IoT can cut costs from clinical and operational inefficiencies by around 25%.

Patient Monitoring

Prior to IoT, interactions between doctors and patients were limited to visits, and then, to some extent, tele and text communications. There was no way for healthcare professionals to continuously monitor patients’ health and respond accordingly.

IoT-powered patient monitoring systems and devices are transforming and redefining healthcare to the benefit of everyone: patients, families, physicians, and hospitals.

Remote monitoring has unleashed a revolution, keeping patients safe and healthy while also allowing physicians to deliver better and faster care.

It has also increased patient engagement and satisfaction, as interactions become easier and more efficient, while also keeping costs down, improving treatment outcomes, and reducing in-patient care.

Wearable devices are the second most popular use of IoT. The number of wearable devices increased from 325 million in 2016 to 722 million in 2019, such as fitness bands and wirelessly connected devices that monitor things like blood pressure, heart rate, and glucose levels.

Wearables allow for higher clinical efficiency and better patient monitoring.

Doctors are able to perform remote monitoring while receiving live feedback through utilization. In other words, through the use of connected devices, it is possible for healthcare providers to create a system of proactive management, and by providing continuous, non-invasive, and accurate monitoring, issues can be tackled as they arise, well before there is an emergency situation.

Connected devices also give patients access to personalized attention and can be fine-tuned to monitor and remind patients about everything from calorie counts and exercise levels to blood pressure variations and even appointments, whether remote or in person.

By using wearables and other IoT-enabled home monitoring systems and equipment, physicians can keep track of patients’ health more effectively, allowing them to be more watchful while also identifying the best treatment in order to reach expected outcomes.

Additionally, wearables can collect vast amounts of anonymous data that can then be used to advance medical research in ways we’ve never previously been able to imagine.

IoT & Hospitals

When it comes to hospitals, IoT can do a lot more than just monitor a patient’s health. All too often, hospital staff spend time on manual work instead of focusing on patients. Through the use of IoT, this is changing, whether it is in the form of streamlined processes or real-time monitoring of the entire hospital setting.

Sensors can be used to track the real-time location of medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, oxygen pumps, nebulizers, defibrillators, and various other monitoring equipment. Medical staff can also be analyzed in real time, ensuring the best use of their services.

Additionally, IoT-enabled hygiene monitoring systems help prevent the spread of infection, a real concern when it comes to hospital environments.

We naturally expect a hospital to maintain a certain level of cleanliness, even if it’s as simple as a healthcare provider washing their hands regularly, but compliance with handwashing standards can be below 40%.

IoT-enabled hand hygiene compliance monitoring systems ensure proper protocol is followed when it comes to hand washing, thus reducing infections.

A growing number of medical centers are using IoT to increase efficiency in a variety of ways. Connected devices are being used for asset management, such as pharmacy inventory control. Environmental monitoring, such as humidity and temperature, can also be utilized.

And wireless sensors in refrigerators are utilized to ensure the proper temperature of blood samples and medications, reducing the need for manual monitoring, while IoT-enabled automation is used to deliver medication through infusion pumps, cutting down on the time staff spends on this.

Elderly Care

According to the UN, the global population aged 80 years or older is projected to increase from 137 million to 425 million by 2050.

This is due to both declining fertility rates and improved survival rates. And while the demographic shift is occurring throughout the world, Europe will be the oldest of all: in 2050, people aged 60 and over are expected to account for 35% of the European population, while in North America the number will be around 28%.

Experts say aging is a global issue, particularly in the developed world, where it will have a significant impact, both politically and economically.

Aging Populations

Seniors overwhelmingly say they would prefer to live fully independently or independently with assistance.

There are a number of ways IoT technology can be utilized to make this happen, which can lead to both better care and cost reductions. And many of these applications can be applied to the general population, further reducing costs and assisting in giving better healthcare overall.

IoT devices make living independently safer for vulnerable patients such as the elderly.

Motion sensors can be used to alert healthcare professionals if a patient has fallen or has not gotten out of bed, which means help will arrive faster.

Wearables can reduce the need for elderly care facilities, as care can be provided remotely by using data gathered by devices. The vital statistics of elderly patients can be continuously monitored using wearables, while they can also be tracked in real time, which in some situations can mean the difference between life and death, due to much swifter reaction times.

Additionally, IoT devices can monitor everything from medication compliance and blood pressure to heart rate – critical areas when it comes to elderly care.

Percentage of population aged 60 yrs or over by region (1980 – 2050)

Data source: United Nations (2017). World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision

Seniors often have several medications they need to take daily, often at different times and under different conditions, such as after a meal or first thing in the morning. Missed doses can result in worsening medical conditions. An enabled pill dispenser can ensure medication is taken as prescribed and on time – and if this doesn’t happen, caregivers will be alerted.

Seniors also need their biomarkers tested more frequently to monitor existing conditions, as well as diagnose new ones, while also checking on overall well-being. Instead of making regular trips to their healthcare center for tests, physicians are now able to remotely monitor their patients with smart implants and portable diagnostic devices, which allow them to access data and monitor everything from oxygen levels and blood sugar to heart rhythms.

This means they can quickly spot if something is wrong, often well before the patient him or herself is aware something is wrong, leading to faster and more effective treatment.

While IoT healthcare applications are generally applicable to the general population, they are of particular value when it comes to elderly care, the fastest growing segment in healthcare.

Various devices placed in the home also allow elderly care professionals to conduct daily assessments of living conditions, such as sudden changes in heat or air quality, as well as monitor patterns as to how an individual goes about their day. If there is a deviation, caregivers or family members can be alerted.

An aging population also means increased healthcare costs. With the help of increasingly sophisticated and responsive portable diagnostic IoT devices, aging individuals are able to comfortably live in their own homes with much less need of in-person care.

But this doesn’t mean loss of communication, which is critical to aging individuals. IoT-enabled technology, such as virtual home assistants, are changing how seniors communicate with others but in many ways, it increases and improves communication channels.

Video calling allows patients to have regular contact with caregivers while cutting back on unnecessary trips to their healthcare provider. Additionally, through video calling, healthcare providers can give instructions, conduct wellness checks, and include concerned friends and relatives.

Data & Security

Data collected from IoT devices can be utilized for diagnosis, leading to fast and effective treatment, and reducing the margin of error that comes from human observation. Collecting data in real time results in more accurate diagnoses, which means patients are the ultimate winners.

But collecting accurate and real-time data from wearables and other devices means a lot of sensitive and private information about patients is being stored. The magnitude of personally identifiable data being collected means security must be meaningfully addressed, because stolen information can be used for anything from blackmail to medical identity theft. Healthcare data security needs to be a primary consideration.

In order to protect sensitive patient information, healthcare providers and medical
centers must ensure that they:

• Store and transmit data securely
• Apply patches and software updates
• Restrict access to data and applications
• Educate healthcare staff
• Log and monitor use
• Encrypt data
• Secure mobile devices
• Conduct regular risk assessments
• Engage a trusted partner

Healthcare providers can’t solve the problem of security on their own, though. Device manufacturers must also play an active role by developing solutions that adhere to strict security standards.

There are built-in security layers when it comes to end-to-end connectivity. The connectivity data in SIM cards is encrypted, while the mobile network provides point-to-point security with APNs (Access Point Name) and VPNs (Virtual Private Network) on the level of security required. The network also has built-in security measures designed to prevent any breach, such as firewalls and home routing.

Storing and processing user data with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) compliance covers the legal aspect of security and the privacy of patients. Security is a concern, but if appropriate precautions are taken the risks can be mitigated. That means making security a priority, rather than an afterthought.

Challenges

While healthcare is one of the most exciting IoT verticals, there are challenges. Security is of course the biggest concern when dealing with sensitive private patient data, but there are other things to keep in mind.

Internet disruptions can kill

To put it bluntly, under normal everyday circumstances a website crashing or losing your connectivity is an annoyance at best, even if that big deal is hanging in the balance.

When it comes to healthcare, though, things like continuous patient monitoring systems or a smart insulin pump are mission critical – and a misstep could literally mean the difference between life and death.

The stability of your connectivity is of the essence, as are planned downtimes.

Overwhelming data

The good news is that IoT can help facilitate everything from reduced emergency room waiting times and tracked assets to continuous patient monitoring and remote healthcare. The flip side of that, which can be viewed as both good and bad, is that an enormous amount of data is going to be generated.

Experts predict healthcare will be responsible for generating more data than any other sector by 2025 – and that means a plan is needed as to how to handle that data, including how to extract the most value from it, how to keep patient confidentiality a priority, and how to address various governmental regulations, both locally and cross-border.

International health organizations are already issuing guidelines that must be strictly followed.

Education & training

Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare centers need to train their employees when it comes to IoT functions and usage. Staff must also be aware of the risks and challenges in handling IoT devices, as well as the importance of security and confidentiality.

Even more importantly, patients must also understand how IoT is being used so that they are able to consent to its use knowledgably – and how it can improve the delivery of their healthcare.

Conclusion

IoT has already had a profound impact on the delivery of healthcare in a relatively short time. Connected devices allow continuous patient monitoring, and many advances within the sector have led to older and more vulnerable patients in particular to live fuller lives in their home environment for as long as possible.

When facing complex cases, doctors are able to confer with specialists across the globe in real time, and in-office visits for patients with chronic diseases are being reduced. Hospital costs are also being reduced, and medication is more easily monitored.

Despite the challenges, IoT technologies are revolutionizing healthcare at a critical time. If you’d like to learn more, please get in touch.