In today’s world, advancements in technology are constantly reshaping how we connect and live. The healthcare sector is no exception, and the question remains: how is technology impacting patient care and medical practices?
The answer lies in the integration of IoT, or Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), into digital healthcare and medical services. This integration addresses a prevalent concern in modern medicine: bedside monitoring.
Traditional Bedside Monitoring: A Room for Improvement
Current bedside monitoring methods are often cumbersome and disruptive for patients. Multiple machines, tangled wires, and constant alarms create a less-than-ideal environment for healing. Additionally, most monitoring devices rely on manual intervention and function independently, only alerting medical professionals when abnormalities arise.
In this context, digital health experts advocate for leveraging predictive maintenance knowledge gleaned from real-time hospital network data or clinical trial results to enhance bedside monitoring practices. Imagine a future where potential equipment failures are identified before they occur, using IoT device monitoring, or where a patient’s vitals trigger an alert based on trends rather than simply exceeding a preset threshold.
IoT in Healthcare: Transforming the Industry
IoT medical devices are revolutionizing the healthcare landscape by enabling:
- Real-time benefits: Physicians can access a constant stream of patient data, allowing for quicker diagnoses and more informed treatment decisions.
- Preventative and predictive maintenance: IoT sensors can monitor equipment health, flagging potential issues before they escalate into critical failures, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency.
- Data-driven optimization of operations: By collecting vast amounts of data from various IoT devices and healthcare IT systems, hospitals can identify areas for improvement in areas like staffing, resource allocation, and patient flow.
Bridgera’s cutting-edge network virtualization platform, capable of simulating thousands of medical devices within a hospital network, exemplifies this pioneering approach. For instance, Bluetooth sensors that precisely monitor vitals, from blood sugar levels to EKG readings, provide valuable insights for tailored treatment plans and preventive measures. Doctors can use this real-time data to adjust medications, identify potential complications early on, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Beyond the Bedside: Expanding the Reach of IoT in Healthcare
While bedside monitoring has traditionally been a focus area, IoT applications extend far beyond the hospital room walls. Here are some of Bridgera’s contemporary IoT healthcare solutions that are transforming patient care:
- Reduced Emergency Room Wait Times: Emergency room visits are notoriously time-consuming. However, recent advancements in IoT-enabled occupancy tracking across hundreds of units, coupled with analysis of key metrics to determine patient needs, have allowed some hospitals to slash wait times by up to 50%. This not only improves the patient’s experience but also frees up valuable time for medical staff.
- Remote Patient Monitoring: Telehealth, enabled by IoT, empowers remote patient monitoring. Patients with chronic conditions or limited mobility can be monitored effectively from their homes using wearable devices and sensors. This reduces the burden of frequent hospital visits, improves quality of life, and allows for early intervention in case of any health concerns.
- Ensuring Critical Hardware Availability: Hospitals often rely on sophisticated hardware and software susceptible to system failures or power outages during critical situations. IoT applications in healthcare enable virtual monitoring of this equipment, alerting staff to any abnormalities. This ensures the uninterrupted operation of life-saving equipment and minimizes potential risks to patients.
- Improved Medication Management: Scientific advancements have led to the development of smart pills embedded with microscopic sensors that communicate with external devices to ensure proper medication dosage. This data is crucial for future medication prescriptions. With the help of IoT, patients can access this data conveniently through smartphone apps, allowing them to make informed decisions about their health and track adherence to medication schedules.
- Addressing Chronic Conditions: The synergy of wearable technology, mobile connectivity, and advanced analytics empowers IoT to address chronic diseases effectively. Devices like Fitbits, powered by IoT and healthcare integration, track personal health metrics and share that data with physicians to manage and prevent recurring health issues. Patients can take a more proactive role in managing their conditions, leading to better long-term health outcomes.
Driving Continuous Improvement in Healthcare with Bridgera Monitoring
From factory floors to tech-driven hospitals, IoT healthcare devices have come a long way. Bridgera is at the forefront of this transformation, relentlessly contributing to advancements that benefit both healthcare providers and patients, ultimately creating a healthier world.
Bridgera: A Partner for a Connected Healthcare Future
The successful implementation of IoT in healthcare requires a holistic approach. Bridgera, beyond just offering cutting-edge technology, provides a comprehensive suite of services to support healthcare organizations throughout their digital transformation journey.
This includes expert consulting and planning, ensuring seamless system integration with existing infrastructure, prioritizing data security and privacy, and offering ongoing support. By partnering with Bridgera, healthcare providers can leverage their industry-leading Bridgera myHealth platform, a comprehensive remote patient monitoring solution, to not only improve patient care but also achieve significant cost savings.
Ready to join the connected future of healthcare? Contact Bridgera today and explore how their IoT platform Bridgera myHealth, can empower your organization.
About Bridgera: Bridgera effortlessly combines innovation and expertise to deliver cutting-edge solutions using connected intelligence. We engineer experiences that go beyond expectations, equipping our clients with the tools they need to excel in an increasingly interconnected world. Since our establishment in 2015, Bridgera, headquartered in Raleigh, NC, has specialized in crafting and managing tailored SaaS solutions for web, mobile, and IoT applications across North America.
About Author: Gayatri Sriaadhibhatla is a seasoned writer with a diverse portfolio spanning multiple industries. Her passion for technology and a keen interest in emerging IoT trends drive her writing pursuits. Always eager to expand her knowledge, she is dedicated to delivering insightful content that informs the audience.
