Nov

How IoMT is Impacting the Healthcare Industry

The healthcare landscape is undergoing a tremendous shift, and at the heart of this transformation lies the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). IoMT is completely revolutionising the way healthcare app development is changing. It is helping the entire healthcare industry to offer a multitude of benefits, from real-time patient monitoring to more efficient clinical trials.

There are over 500,000 medical technologies actively used in IoMT, rapidly transforming the role and relationships of medtech within healthcare.

What’s truly remarkable is how these devices have evolved. They’ve gone beyond their traditional roles to become interconnected, seamlessly integrating into the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). With the continuous improvement of computing power and wireless capabilities, healthcare organisations are capitalising on IoMT’s potential to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes.

But what is IoMT technology and its significance in the healthcare industry? How does the deployment of all the IoMT devices take place? What are the uses of IoMT in healthcare? And how is IoMT transforming the healthcare industry? Let’s find the answers to all these questions as the article unfolds.

What is IoMT and Its Significance in Healthcare?

IoMT is a network of interconnected medical devices, sensors, software applications, and systems that collect, transmit, and analyse medical data. One can wear the IoMT devices or get surgery done to implant them in the body.

The IoMT data is transmitted to the cloud or a local server, artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms analyse them. Healthcare providers use this analysis to monitor patient’s health, improve clinical trials, develop personalised treatment plans, and improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery through mobile health app development.

Deployment of IoMT

In essence, the “deployment of IoMT” means the implementation and utilisation of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) within the healthcare software development industry. This process involves setting up the devices and IoMT technology or data collection from the device’s sensors. Subsequently, data transmission and analysis take place in the deployment process. Throughout this process, IoMT devices, data connectivity for data transfer, and cloud computing play a significant role.

Deployment of IoMT

Connected Medical Devices

We can broadly classify medical devices into three major categories:

Wearables: Patients typically wear IoMT devices attached to their bodies, which collect data in real time. Examples include smart watches, fitness trackers, and blood pressure monitors.
Remote Monitoring Devices: To monitor patients outside the traditional care setting using digital medical devices, healthcare providers suggest patients place remote monitoring devices at homes or other settings. Often, telehealth uses this technology to provide better care. Examples include blood pressure monitors, glucometers, weight scales, and pulse oximeters.
Imaging equipment: Imaging equipment produces images of the patient’s internal organs and tissues. IoMT-enabled imaging equipment can transmit images to the cloud or a local server for real-time analysis.

Sensor Technology and Data Collection

IoMT devices use a variety of sensors to collect data. Some common sensors include:

Accelerometers: Accelerometers measure the vibration or acceleration in the body’s movement. Wearable devices have these meters to track activity levels and sleep patterns.
Photoplethysmography (PPG) Sensors: Photoplethysmography sensors measure changes in blood volume in the peripheral circulation. Wearable devices have these sensors to track heart and respiratory rates.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) Sensors: ECG sensors measure the electrical activity of the heart. Wearable devices have these sensors to track heart and respiratory rates.
Blood Glucose Sensors: Blood glucose sensors measure the glucose level in the blood. Remote monitoring devices are them to help people manage diabetes.

Data Connectivity

IoMT devices transmit data to the cloud or a local server using a variety of wireless communication technologies, including:

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is a good choice for IoMT applications that require a high data rate and are operating in a closed and controlled environment, such as a hospital or clinic. However, Wi-Fi can be unreliable in outdoor environments or areas with high signal interference.
Cellular: Cellular networks provide wireless connectivity over a wide area. IoT devices use cellular networks to collect data from patients, not within the Wi-Fi range. For example, insulin pumps and pacemakers, digital therapeutic software, telehealth applications, and ambulance and emergency medical services vehicles use cellular networks to transmit patient data to hospitals and other healthcare facilities in real-time for monitoring and management.
Bluetooth: Wearable devices commonly use Bluetooth, a short-range wireless technology. It is a popular choice for IoMT data transfer due to its low power consumption, low cost, and ease of use.

Data Transmission and Storage

Once the IoMT device transmits data, the cloud or local servers store the data. Cloud storage offers several advantages, including scalability, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. However, it is essential to ensure that cloud-based IoMT systems are secure and compliant with healthcare data privacy regulations.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing plays a critical role in IoMT. The cloud provides the infrastructure and resources to store, process, and analyse IoMT data. One can access Cloud-based IoMT applications from anywhere with an internet connection, making it easy for healthcare providers to monitor patients remotely and extend their healthcare services.

Uses of IoMT in Healthcare

Here is a list of some of the uses of IoMT in healthcare:

Remote Patient Monitoring: IoMT devices monitor patients’ vital signs, blood glucose levels, and other health data. This enables healthcare providers to remotely monitor patients’ health and take early action if there are any problems.
Personalised Treatment Plans: IoMT systems utilise cloud computing to develop individualized patient treatment plans. For example, healthcare providers can use IoMT data from wearable devices to create personalised exercise, diet, or exercise plans for patients with chronic diseases.
Improved Clinical Trials: IoMT data can be used to improve the design and conduct of clinical trials. For example, IoMT devices are being used to collect real-time data from participants in clinical trials. This data is then used to assess the safety and efficacy of new drugs and treatments more quickly and accurately.
Enhanced Public Health Surveillance: IoMT data can improve public health surveillance. For example, medical professionals use IoMT data from wearable devices to track the spread of diseases and identify outbreaks early.
Reduced Healthcare Costs: IoMT can help to reduce healthcare costs by enabling early detection and intervention, preventing hospitalisations, and improving the efficiency of healthcare delivery.

Here are some specific examples of how the healthcare industry is using IoMT today:

Smart Insulin Pumps: Automatically adjust insulin delivery based on a patient’s blood sugar levels.
Remote Cardiac Monitoring Devices: Track a patient’s heart rate, rhythm, and other cardiac data from their home.
Connected Medication Dispensers: Remind patients to take their medications and track their adherence.
Smart Home Devices: Smart home devices, such as smart speakers and smart thermostats, can monitor patients’ health and activity levels in their homes.

How’s IoMT Transformating the Healthcare Industry?

The IoMT is not just adding up to the healthcare industry. It is completely transforming the way healthcare providers provide healthcare services, how patients manage their health, and how the healthcare system works as a whole. Here are some specific examples of how the IoMT is transforming healthcare:

How's IoMT Transformating the Healthcare Industry?

Expanded Reach for Healthcare Providers: IoMT empowers healthcare providers to extend their services to more expansive geographical areas. Through remote patient monitoring and telemedicine, IoMT allows healthcare professionals to bridge the gap and reach patients in underserved and remote regions.
Improved Patient Outcomes: Enables early detection and disease management, which leads to better patient outcomes. For example, IoMT devices can monitor patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, for early signs of complications. IoMT can also provide remote patient monitoring services, which can help to prevent hospitalisations and reduce readmission rates.
Enhanced Patient Engagement: Help to improve patient engagement by providing patients with more information about their health and giving them more control over their care. For example, IoMT devices can provide patients with real-time feedback on their health data and allow them to track their progress towards their health goals.
New Business Opportunities: Create new business opportunities for healthcare providers, technology companies, and other stakeholders. For example, healthcare providers can use IoMT data to develop new services and improve their existing services. Technology companies can develop new IoMT devices and software applications.
Cost Reduction: Helps to reduce healthcare costs in several ways. For example, predictive maintenance of medical equipment can also help to reduce costs by preventing unplanned downtime and costly repairs. Remote patient monitoring and telemedicine services can reduce the need for in-person visits to healthcare facilities.
Data-Driven Decision-Making: IoMT generates a vast amount of data that helps to make informed decisions about healthcare delivery. For example, healthcare providers use IoMT data to identify trends in disease prevalence and treatment outcomes. Professionals use this information to develop new and more effective treatments.
Streamlined Operations: IoMT is helping to streamline operations in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. By optimising patient scheduling and resource utilisation, medical professionals use IoMT to improve patient care by fetching real-time data on patient’s needs, delivering better and improved care.
Improving the Efficiency of Healthcare Delivery: IoMT can help to streamline healthcare workflows and reduce administrative burdens. This can free up healthcare providers to spend more time with patients. For example, remote patient monitoring, easy access to electronic health records, clinical decision support systems, and telemedicine are all helping to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery today.

Conclusion

Overall, IoMT is having a transformative impact on the healthcare industry. IoMT is enabling new ways to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, enhance patient engagement, make data-driven decisions, improve scalability and accessibility, and streamline operations.

As IoMT technology continues to mature and become more widely adopted, we can expect to see even more innovative and transformative applications in the future.

Moreover, in this dynamic landscape, Ficode stands out as a valuable partner for organisations like yours, aiming to deliver cutting-edge IoMT applications in healthcare. Leveraging our expertise in healthcare software development, we are well-positioned to assist in the creation of robust and user-friendly applications. Whether it’s a simple healthcare app development or the intricate realm of mobile health app development, Ficode’s proficiency ensures the delivery of secure, scalable, and feature-rich IoMT solutions to a healthcare entity. If you collaborate with Ficode, it can pave the way for you to harness the full potential of IoMT, contributing to improved patient care and operational efficiency in the healthcare ecosystem.