How the IoT Can Help Solve Some Healthcare Challenges

During the past few years, the world came across many technological advancements. From integrated intelligence to sending a search rover on mars, men have come a long way. Many fantastic innovations left everyone speechless, but the technology that tingled the brains out of everyone was the introduction of IoT. The Internet of Things became the most compelling innovation of the 21st century, and not only it provided ways of creating more advanced gadgets and systems but also updated the operations of previously invented instruments and gadgets.

The application of IoT in different industries was immense. Every industry became aware of the benefits of IoT and started introducing it in their systems to connect every small instrument to another for better accuracy, efficiency, and enhanced quality. The application of IoT in the industrial sector provided better monitoring of the production line as well as products that were built with sensors to connect every physical element to an automated system.

This provided ease in assessment and in the evaluation of the product. Soon, the healthcare industry also started using IoT to update their instruments which enhanced the working of many gadgets, it even became too easy to record the heartbeat of a patient using only a stethoscope. This article aims to understand that how the Internet of Things can help in solving the challenges that the healthcare industry faces.

What is IoT?

The Internet of Thing (IoT), is known to develop a relationship between any physical object and connecting it with integrated system software that analysis, and enhances the performance of that tool or instrument. The relationship is developed by installing the physical objects with sensors, and small devices, that are connected to embedded software. The software is responsible to collect and share data which is then shared over the internet. The data shared can be used as a reference and also measure if the instrument is working properly or not.

There are many applications of IoT in the healthcare sector, as it can be used for tracking patients, keeping a tab over their vitals, and also assessing the body for any kind of physical anomalies. Therefore, with the integration of IoT’s in healthcare services many problems could be resolved and dealt with. Therefore, let us understand how IoT can help in resolving the challenges that are being faced in healthcare services.

How was IoT’s made possible?

IoT’s were being developed for some years, but due to the lack of some features, they didn’t make a lot of progress. However, as the technologies moved ahead, the IoT’s latched on to these advancements and used to its advancements. Therefore, let us look at some of the important aspects that made IoT possible.

● Cost-effective and low consumption sensors

The development of new and improved sensors, that were specifically made to be durable and cost-efficient allowed the developers of IoT, to use these sensors and enhance the IoT function. These sensors provided the appropriate amount of power and have increased battery life, as new and improved cell devices were integrated inside them.

● Enhanced Connectivity of overall networks

In recent times, a number of hosts have been developed, to inculcate all the network protocols. Due to several hosts, it became very easy for them to connect to all kinds of sensors and provide an easy and efficient data transfer from one center to another.

● Development of Cloud computing platforms

The platforms that provide cloud storage have increased drastically, which allows easy and efficient storage of data, for both personal use and business applications. It had made it very easy for the IoT software to fetch all kinds of data and information, from different sources in a span of seconds and embed them into its own software and integrated system.

● Analysis of different machine languages

With the help of data that is being stored on different cloud servers, it became very easy for the manufacturers and developers of machines, to learn the analysis by studying the insights for a particular machine. This helped in developing the dynamics of the machines and made learning easy and more achievable. Therefore, it enhanced the working of IoT and allowed them to use this information for the betterment of the integrated systems.

● Development in the field of artificial intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence has proved to be a boon for all IoT integrated software. Artificial intelligence has increased the understanding of different complex computer languages. Therefore, processing a system integrated language and signals have become easy. Thus, allowing all the IoT’s to convert any kind of embodied as well as disembodied languages that were previously hard to process and implement.

How the healthcare industry can benefit from IoT and overcome challenges

The Healthcare industry has always been looking for new innovations that can help them in overcoming many surgical as well as treatment problems. The IoT that is being developed has become power efficient and durable. Therefore, allowing healthcare workers to use sensors and devices for a longer period of time, without worrying about their power levels. The development of several small but effective sensors has opened a new door for all the healthcare development company that deals in IoT integrated systems. Therefore, let us look at some of the ways in which IoT can help the healthcare industry.

Tracking inventory 

Many hospital managers does not know how to manage the hospital’s equipment and all the other devices, which can be easily lost. However, with the help of IoT integrated sensors, the instrument can be traced easily. The sensors could be placed inside the equipment as they are very small in size and easily installable. It also helps the hospital administration to maintain their storage inventory and gives them the exact number of the equipment that is available. Similar inventions, such as shift management software, are used around hospitals in order to organize staff, too. This way, everyone can use the same system to understand where they need to be.  

The real-time tracking that is available with the help of these sensors allows nurses as well as doctors to keep a check on the devices that are in use and when will they be available. These can also be installed on wheelchairs and support belts to keep a track of the patient and check that they are not left alone, and also do not hospital premisses unadministered.

Monitoring patients

One of the benefits of using integrated systems of IoT in a different device is better monitoring of the patients. The IoT can program different kinds of devices embedded with wrist bands, rings that will allow the health staff to monitor the patients. It can be used to monitor a patient’s vitals remotely, and also to detect external factors that might be hampering a patient’s peace. They also provide features that have data storing system, with the help of which past reference of a patient’s vitals and blood pressure can easily be compared to new results.

Wearables that detect exposure

With the spread of the dangerous Covid-19, many people have been affected and lost their lives. One of the major causes of these was the undetectability of the virus. All the rapid tests that were developed were either time-consuming or didn’t provide proper and accurate results. Therefore, a new and improved exposure notification system was developed to detect the virus in an individual. These systems were embedded in different wearables, such as smart links or health bands. These wearables were then connected to smartphones with the help of Bluetooth connectivity. The system worked by identifying any kind of information on smartphones that were even six feet away from them. With the help of these identifiers, the system alerted the user that there might be a chance of exposure to the virus.

The health care workers also were recommended to take help of these devices and stay away from spaces and people that might be exposed to the virus. Since the advancements in the technology of wireless beacons which were made more efficient and durable. The IoT’s enhanced these beacons with integrated software that could run different probability simulations, by gaining information from nearby devices, and looking for virus exposure. However, these wearables have no role in making sure that you are not affected by the virus.

Navigation assessment

The custom web development company has started to embed smart beacons and sensors throughout the hospital so that the software they develop for the hospital management can easily have navigation features. This will help a lot of patients to easily move through the hospital premises and not be lost. They have also enabled a GPS system in their software, with which an unknown can easily maneuver through the area, without getting lost anywhere.

Conclusion

The healthcare industry is a place where technological advancements matter the most. What could be more beneficial that can help in saving a life, or curing someone of their disease that can kill them? The health care industry is the place where technology matters the most. Therefore, with the help of IoT, hospitals and medical structures can overcome many difficulties, and save the lives of many patients.