Healthcare facilities have been transformed by IoT systems. Patient care has improved substantially and some of the IoT wearables and medical monitoring devices are life-saving. IoT devices are being increasingly deployed in hospital and emergency settings. Due to the increased IoT jobs, some of the time spent on menial tasks is reduced.
From smart ECG monitors to smart ventilators and nebulizers, the power of connected devices and data is being harnessed by the healthcare segment in a meaningful manner. The real potential of IoT in healthcare is not with isolated ‘smart’ devices.
It is seen only when there is an integrated IoT system that connects devices, patient data, surgery, hospital administration, and healthcare workers.
Healthcare Workers and Emergencies
Remote-controlled drones can be deployed to provide real-time images of a crisis. With the help of this continuous imaging, healthcare workers can guide affected persons from afar. Arrangements can be made to move critical patients to hospitals.
Others can be assisted remotely and drone-dropped supplies. With the demand in IoT careers the requirement for connected ambulances and connected drones have been increased drastically. The medical devices and treatment can begin even before patients arrive at the hospital.
Ambulance settings have undergone significant change with the advent of IoT-based devices. Ambulances have facilities for video monitoring. Real-time patient data is available from the ambulance so that doctors and healthcare workers can begin treatment and make arrangements at the hospital. Connected drones are equipped with video facilities as well as emergency medical devices.
Healthcare Workers and Telemedicine
Videoconferencing and telemedicine facilities have revolutionized Covid care. It has significantly reduced the risk for healthcare workers. With remote monitoring through wearables, healthcare workers can monitor patient parameters such as body temperature, pulse, oxygen saturation, and patients who are quarantined and in-home isolation can also be remotely monitored.
With telemedicine facilities, healthcare workers can check up on them routinely and remotely. Onsite assistance can be provided if needed. Due to the increased IoT jobs, some of the time spent on menial tasks is reduced. Healthcare workers can focus on value-added activities.
Healthcare Workers Safety & IoT Jobs
With smart beds, it is easier to keep track of and monitor occupancy. Healthcare workers will be appraised with real-time data. With patient data sharing, healthcare workers will be aware of patients who have infectious conditions. Their entry into quarantined zones will be monitored. Wearing PPE will be mandatory for such areas.
In this way, the safety of healthcare workers is built into the IoT hospital system. Connected equipment can significantly improve the quality of care as well as enhance operational efficiency.
Smart beds can also monitor patient health parameters and update in real-time; be it weight and heartbeat to body temperature, pressure, and oxygen levels. With the use of VR (virtual reality) and AR (Augmented reality) solutions, real-time imaging is possible. Healthcare workers can use them to examine patients without physically touching them.
Patient admission and movement within the hospital premises are restricted and monitored. In this way, all healthcare workers moving around the hospital will not come into contact with infected patients.
Working in these stressful pandemic times can wreak havoc on the mental state of healthcare workers. They are under severe stress and battle depression and mood swings. With IoT devices that track healthcare workers, it is possible to predict depression symptoms and address them.
Conclusion
IoT applications can be leveraged to enhance healthcare settings and patient care. From remote monitoring and telemedicine, IoT systems have enabled healthcare workers to manage many patients remotely.
With real-time alerts, better patient care is possible. Smart beds can help in tracking free beds and assigning them to new admissions. Healthcare workers are freed from menial tasks and can focus on better patient care.
