The provision of healthcare services has evolved tremendously in hospitals. This is mainly because of technological breakthroughs such as MRI machines, pacemakers, and other medical devices. This major transformation in the healthcare segment has been made possible with the introduction of the internet of things. This innovative information technology solution has made complex processes simpler and improved the delivery of healthcare services. Besides, the management of workflow which used to be a cumbersome task has become a smooth process. All thanks to the adoption of internet technology and smart devices which has made significant changes in the way traditional healthcare was delivered.
Role of IoT in Healthcare
The integration of IoT in healthcare has two crucial purposes which are-
- Improving diagnosis of disease by timely communicating healthcare information related to heartbeat, blood sugar level etc..
- Provides a seamless integration of doctors with patients by removing the wider demographic barriers.
IoT to enhance healthcare delivery
While the role that medical devices and smart machines play in providing healthcare service is clear. It needs to be emphasized how these smart devices improve the segment. To draw attention to below are some of the key pointers
Data insights
As patients use smart devices at any given point of time, the data can be directly forwarded to doctors using the internet or wifi. In this way, a huge amount of healthcare data is transmitted which can be used to get insights about particular health issues. This data can then be used to make informed decisions related to medicine production, side effects of drugs and other key points which might help improve the existing service delivery.
Reduced costs
Another key area where IoT can improve the healthcare segment is in the reduction of costs. Smart devices which are used at the premises of the patient in remote areas transmit data directly to the doctor which eliminates the need of regular doctor visits and reduces the load of fees. Besides, for the doctor, this reduces the requirement of extra staff to look after patients and provide them with the necessary care.
Ensuring Quality
Usage of IoT devices such as RFID tags and sensor allow maintaining the quality of medicines and drugs. It also helps hospitals ensure stringent quality control measures to by deploying sensors which would create alerts in case the shelf life of the drug is about to expire.
Work optimization
Smart medical devices such as MRI machines accurately determine the health of the patient and saves time by quickly generating image results. These can be directly transmitted into electronic files which save a lot of paperwork thus optimizing workflow.
Ease of access
Devices and equipment have been made user-friendly such that a patient can themselves use the device to ascertain their health statistics. In this way, the devices ensure ease of access and thus reduce the need for a helping hand.
Challenges in using IoT
Several large and small hospitals are forthcoming in introducing IoT in their regular working, but there are various challenges with respect to its adoption. This include-:
The high cost of installation
Installation of high end, world-class machines require huge investments which invariably falls on patients in the form of high treatment charges.
Cybersecurity issues
As hospitals do not have the necessary infrastructure to install and maintain the system, they often fall prey to cybersecurity attacks. Hospitals using intelligent devices are at the helm of hackers which try and invade the healthcare data of patients.
Lack of trained doctors
As innovative technology continues to evolve, doctors do not necessarily pose the skill to use such smart technologies. This lack of trained personnel is a challenge which hampers the spread of technology throughout the different departments.
Data tampering
As data is available in electronic format, it can be easily tampered by a person having access to such data. As a result, personal healthcare data of patients is compromised.
Conclusion
To conclude, the adoption of IoT in healthcare services will definitely improve the existing state of delivery. Complex and time-taking procedures such as inventory management, pharmacies will be easily managed will less staff. However, these benefits must not overshadow the key concerns with respect to its adoption. Measures such as stringent cybersecurity settings encryptions, passwords can be used. To bring the cost of devices downwards, subsidies, leases and other fiscal measures must be devised.
