One of the most exciting developments in recent years has been the increasing integration of connected medical IoT devices into healthcare. The use of connected devices has drastically increased in healthcare facilities globally and allows for more efficient and accurate data collection, remote patient monitoring, and improved patient outcomes.
Medical IoT devices are equipped with sensors and connected to the internet. They have the potential to revolutionize healthcare by providing quicker data transfer and collection, as well as insights for healthcare professionals.
7 Benefits of Digital IoT in Healthcare
- Remote Patient Monitoring: Digital IoT enables the continuous monitoring of patient’s health parameters. This provides the ability for healthcare professionals to remotely track vital signs and intervene promptly if needed. Because of this technology, patients have the comfort of checkups at home, and healthcare professionals have time to see more patients.
- Predictive Maintenance: Medical IoT devices can predict and prevent failures through real-time monitoring. These upgrades reduce downtime and ensure devices are always operational.
- Efficient Asset Management: Healthcare facilities can optimize the utilization of medical equipment and resources by leveraging IoT for tracking and managing assets, leading to cost savings.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making: IoT generates vast amounts of data. An abundance of data provides healthcare professionals with valuable insights for evidence-based decision-making and improving patient outcomes.
- Enhanced Drug Management: Medical IoT devices can be employed to monitor the storage conditions of pharmaceuticals. Tracking these standards ensures medications are stored at the correct temperature and conditions, maintaining their efficacy.
- Workflow Optimization: IoT devices help streamline healthcare workflows through automation. This includes routine tasks, reducing administrative burdens, and allowing professionals to focus on patient care.
- Patient Engagement and Adherence: Connected devices provide better patient engagement by providing real-time feedback and reminders. Features like this improve patient adherence to treatment plans.
Challenges of Integrating Connected Medical Devices into Healthcare
While the benefits of integrating connected medical devices into healthcare are clear, there are still challenges to overcome. One of the major challenges when it comes to considering connected devices is data privacy and security concerns. Connected devices are susceptible to hacking, which means sensitive patient information could be compromised.
There are also challenges related to the integration of connected medical devices. Most current healthcare systems were not designed with interconnected devices in mind, which means there may be issues with compatibility and interoperability. If that weren’t enough, the high cost and accessibility of these devices can be a barrier to equitable healthcare.
Another big consideration for medical IoT devices is their reliability. Medical settings need dependable devices that are highly accurate in collecting and transmitting patient data. Any errors can have severe consequences on patient care.
As these devices continue to become more connected with other systems, there’s a higher risk of system failures and malfunctions. To ensure reliability, healthcare facilities must thoroughly test and monitor these devices. Contingency plans are a must in case of system failures and firmware needs to be regularly updated to prevent potential vulnerabilities.
Explore the top 3 challenges of Medical IoT below.
1. Data Security & Privacy Concerns
The increased connectivity raises concerns about the security and privacy of patient data. With security concerns, robust measures to safeguard sensitive health information will be required. Medical devices need to communicate seamlessly with each other. However, due to varying standards and protocols used by different manufacturers, data safety can be a significant hurdle. That’s why device suppliers must collaborate with EMS providers who share the same level of dedication and commitment to device assemblies.
2. Interoperability Issues
Interoperable devices with the ability to share information seamlessly can improve patient care, reduce errors, encourage innovation, and enable more diverse study datasets. Integration challenges may arise when attempting to connect various IoT devices from different manufacturers, hindering seamless communication between systems. Consider partnering with one EMS provider equipped with the necessary tools, expertise, and commitment to deliver impressive results all under one roof.
3. Integrating Medical IoT Devices
The integration of medical IoT devices into existing healthcare systems is another challenge. These devices often require integration with electronic medical records (EMRs), clinical decision support systems, and other healthcare applications. Integration processes can be time-consuming and costly, especially if the existing systems are not compatible with the new devices. Plus, healthcare providers may also face challenges in training staff to effectively use these new devices and incorporate them into their workflows. To overcome these challenges, healthcare organizations must carefully plan and strategize integrations and provide comprehensive training to staff.
Ensuring Top-Tier Standards in Medical Device Manufacturing
Connected medical devices are expected to have a massive impact on the healthcare industry in the coming years. With the continuing advancements in technology and innovation, they will become even more sophisticated. With more of these upgrades, it will allow for more accurate and insightful data collection. By combining connected medical devices with AI and machine learning, healthcare professionals will be able to detect patterns and trends in patient data more easily. This advancement will continue leading to more personalized and effective treatments.
At Nortech, we take pride in partnering with our customers from the beginning. Our phased approach helps our engineers provide key insights during the build process to ensure we understand our customer’s needs and provide access to their product data and performance during production. With a strong commitment to excellence, Nortech invests in cutting-edge tools and equipment to design and produce high-quality products. Our goal is to meet industry standards while keeping up with the evolving technological landscape.
We firmly believe IoT devices will play an integral role in helping our customers effectively manage device performance for long-term success. Integrating connected medical devices into healthcare is an exciting development. It also has huge potential to improve healthcare processes. However, it’s essential to address challenges related to integrating smart devices and healthcare. By overcoming these challenges, healthcare settings will have more insights, along with quicker data transfer and data collection.
Start your next medical device build with your trusted partner, Nortech. Contact us today!