The Internet of Things (IoT) is a revolution that has infiltrated all industries worldwide, and medical facilities are no different. By the year 2025, over 75 billion wearable connected devices will be in use globally. 

IoT stands for a number of different physical objects, devices, and sensors connected to the Internet so they can share data and communicate with each other. IoT is currently used in healthcare to improve patient care and open new avenues in remote patient monitoring.

Remote patient monitoring uses a chain of devices to collect and check patient health information continuously. The primary goal is to manage ongoing health issues, from older people to follow-ups after surgery.

The article discusses problems with traditional patient monitoring, how remote monitoring is changing healthcare, the ways it is used, and the advantages it offers to both patients and healthcare providers.

Challenges in Traditional Patient Monitoring

Current patient monitoring systems do not meet the changing needs of healthcare because they are mostly based on manual processes that are used only at certain times for critical checks. The main challenges of using traditional patient monitoring include:

• Minimal Observation and Data Collection Capabilities

Traditional management setups keep a close watch on the patient during their scheduled appointment and then wait for a while. These periodic checks lead to gaps in crucial data collection and no regular health updates.  This kind of management system is weak and misses many warning signs regarding worsening conditions and the need to take action.

• Draining Activities

Standard monitoring requires more attention from medical personnel and systems. It involves burdensome activities like recording patients' vitals, manually checking blood pressure or heart rates, and tracking their progress. In addition, lethargy among healthcare employees is primarily caused by the heavy workloads that the nature of their jobs exposes to them.

• RoadBlocks to the Improvement of Patient Participation

There are no systems in place to facilitate effective patient participation in their care using the existing systems. Patients' compliance is low even with prescribed medications, as 50% of patients fail to take their doses as prescribed or do not follow the instructions. In addition, when effective communication or a monitoring device is not available, the treatment's success rate is generally low.

Impact of IoT on Remote Patient Monitoring

IoT in healthcare has changed the way patients receive healthcare services from remote locations. It uses intelligent devices that can communicate with other devices to collect, analyse and forward patient data. Here are the major steps of how IoT helps monitor patients from a distance:

1. Data Gathering and Transmission

Wearable sensors and smart devices can measure vital parameters like heart rate, blood pressure, glucose levels, and SpO2. IoT helps send the data gathered wirelessly through communications such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cell networks. For long distances and energy-efficient data transfer, they are often integrated with Low-Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN).

2. Data Collection and Cloud Storage 

Data is accumulated in large, centralised cloud-based platforms for transmittance. These platforms can accommodate huge amounts of patient information safely and securely. Moreover, cloud computing allows scalability and access for healthcare providers.

3. Data Processing and AI Use 

Advanced analytics, mainly based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), examine these data sets, looking for patterns, unusual items, or trends. These systems can then predict health problems such as heart attacks based on when patterns deviate from what is normal.

4. Alerts and Notification 

Each time an unusual event is found, automatic alerts are sent to healthcare providers, caregivers, or patients via a mobile app or dashboard. This allows quick action before emergencies occur.

5. Feedback and Action 

Useful information is provided to healthcare providers to make data-based decisions. This enables them to change treatment plans immediately according to patients' responses, which is important for personalised care.

6. Integration with Telemedicine 

Telemedicine enables healthcare providers to maintain seamless contact and information sharing through electronic health records (EHRs). This integration leads to coordination around treatment plans and better patient outcomes.

How IoT is Redefining Patient Care? 

The adoption of IoT in healthcare has revolutionised patient monitoring. It offers innovative solutions to address the limitations of traditional systems. Following are the key areas of patient care positively impacted by IoT: 

• Real-Time Monitoring and Proactive Care
• Ease of Healthcare Management
• Personalizing Treatment Plans
• Enhancing Operational Efficiency

Key Use Cases of IoT in Remote Patient Monitoring

IoT technologies have transformed remote patient monitoring across multiple medical specialities. The size of the IoT in the healthcare market is projected to be USD 147.44 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.74% to reach USD 348.03 billion by 2029. Some of the key use cases of IoT in different aspects of healthcare as discussed as follows: 

• Chronic Disease Management Systems

IoT-enabled systems help manage chronic diseases by placing smart sensors and devices in patient care. For instance, there is Dexcom G7, a real-time continuous glucose monitor for diabetes patients. This device provides an immediate blood glucose reading and thus keeps the patient healthy without a problem.

Wearable blood pressure monitors, such as the Omron HeartGuide, offer accurate, regular readings and provide insight into the timely adjustment of treatment to control the disease. Generally, the use of IoT devices for chronic conditions comes along with lower healthcare costs because complications and emergency visits are minimised.

In managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the Propeller Health Inhaler Sensor has been found to help patients take their medicine 58% more often and improve asthma control by 63%.

Moreover, wearable devices like the Apple Watch and Fitbit Sense check on heart health by finding irregular heart patterns early. It can detect issues up to 72 hours before standard methods do. 

These examples show how IoT is improving chronic disease care with early monitoring and personalised help.

• Post-Surgical Recovery Monitoring

New wearable devices have been designed based on ideas from IoT-enabled recovery monitoring, especially for care after surgery. For example, smart dressings are applied to patients when they undergo surgery. Such dressings have incorporated smart wound sensors that monitor a range of wound details, including pH, temperature, and moisture. Monitoring these aspects offers the doctor live information regarding the status of the wound, which enables appropriate response.

Another capability is that AI-enabled IoT devices can identify problem-specific risk factors after surgery. It can identify potential threats based on data patterns so readmissions and expensive treatment are avoided. Some devices utilised to monitor recovery after surgery are:

1. VITAL-ECG is a low-cost wearable that tracks heart rate, ECG, SpO2, and skin temperature.
2. Zephyr BioHarness 3 is a chest strap that accurately measures breathing rate, heart activity, and body temperature to monitor vital signs after surgery.
3. HOT Watch uses Arduino and Bluetooth for data transmission. It keeps track of oxygen saturation and temperature. 
4. Peripheral nerve stimulation, or PNS, uses gentle electrical pulses near a nerve to help block pain. Devices, such as those from NeuroMetrix, are promising in decreasing chronic postoperative pain.
5. Pain pumps such as ON-Q infuse local anaesthetics directly into the surgical site. They provide targeted relief and reduce one's reliance on frequently administered pain medications.
6. New inventions like bio-resorbable poly (ester urea) (PEU) films can deliver medicine right where the surgery takes place. These patches allow pain medicine, such as etoricoxib, to go directly to the area that hurts. In this way, they offer long-lasting pain relief and reduce side effects throughout the body.

Thus, IoT devices reduce the need for long hospital stays and improve patient outcomes because of remote monitoring.

• Maternal and Fetal Health Monitoring

Data and practical applications are increasingly supporting maternal and fetal health monitoring through connected wearable devices. Current studies indicate that more than 50% of pregnant women use mobile apps to monitor their pregnancy health. The average number of apps they download during pregnancy is three or more. Some reasons they use these tools are to track how the baby is growing (83%) and to get advice on nutrition (26%).

Among some popular apps for mothers are Pregnancy+, Ovia Pregnancy Tracker, and What to Expect. With such apps, mothers will help keep track of their health, fetal movements, reminders to prenatal care visits and all other related requirements necessary.

The global market for women's health apps has grown remarkably. For instance, the Indian government developed applications like "Swasthya Samiksha" to track maternal health in rural areas.

• Elderly Care and Fall Prevention

More and more people worldwide are using IoT devices to assist in the care of older adults, especially in preventing falls. For example, "Philips Lifeline" is an application that can detect falls and has a pendant that notifies caregivers directly in case of an emergency. Another system, "ElderSense," uses motion sensors and AI to recognise unusual movements or inactivity for long periods that could indicate someone is at risk. Such technologies introduce early intervention and assurance for caregivers in their absence.

IoT-enabled system installations have been aimed at helping prevent falls in senior living homes. The installation of such systems has minimised the incidence of fall-related injuries to as low as 25%. The systems also track the vital signs and medications of the elderly, thus offering full remote health monitoring.

Advantages of IoT for Patients and Doctors

The integration of IoT in healthcare delivers substantial advantages for both patients and healthcare providers. Adoption rates globally show that 80% of healthcare organisations now use IoT solutions to monitor patients. The reasons why IoT is increasingly integrated into the routine healthcare system are as follows:

• Patient Empowerment And Quality Of Care

Patients get real-time feedback through mobile applications and wearable devices, which enables them to control their health management. They apply these tools to monitor crucial health numbers, adhere to their medication schedule, and receive follow-up treatments that are not necessarily conducted under the watchful eyes of the hospital. Furthermore, patients can share their information with their family or caregivers.

• Provider Efficiency and Decision Help

A unified system consolidates real-time patient data onto a single platform and thereby supports the services of health providers. It can identify health issues early, giving providers more opportunities to take active actions in their treatment. IoT in wearable devices also minimises paperwork by automating patient data management, hence giving providers more time to spend on personal patient care. It also provides personalised, evidence-based information for better decisions on a treatment plan.

• Healthcare Cost Optimization

IoT monitoring helps reduce emergency room visits by providing early assistance. Telemedicine and immediate data help healthcare facilities cut costs. Continuous monitoring supports prevention-based care approaches that reduce the overall cost of treatment. Providers use resources better through computerised patient tracking and management systems.

Future Trends and Innovations in IoT Healthcare

The future of IoT in healthcare is focused on advanced technologies like wearables, AI, and data integration. These innovations aim to improve patient care, make healthcare more efficient, and increase accessibility. Some of the key innovations we are observing in IoT for Healthcare are as follows: 

• New Sensor Technologies

Next-generation biosensors will enable noninvasive monitoring of complex health parameters. Smart fabrics and wearable devices will be seamlessly integrated into people's daily lives, and miniature sensors will offer greater detail and precision in health data. 

• Using AI with Predictive Analytics

Machine learning algorithms will allow healthcare professionals to make better health and risk predictions. Certain automation will also enhance diagnosis support, making it possible to work faster and make accurate decisions.

• 5G and Connectivity Advances

Ultra-low latency 5G networks would allow for real-time remote procedures and consultations. More focus on improved bandwidth will facilitate high-definition video monitoring and complex data transmission. 

• Personalised Medicine Applications

IoT devices will help create more personalised treatment plans using individual patient data. Additionally, customising medical devices will make monitoring more accurate for each patient. For doctors, real-time changes in treatment will show how each patient is responding.

• Security and Privacy Innovation

Blockchain will further boost the security and protection of patient privacy data. Advanced encryption methods will safeguard health information during transmission. Moreover, biometric authentication will strengthen access control over patient information.

Final Thoughts on What IoT Brings to the Table!

The integration of IoT in healthcare is changing how we care for patients. It makes patient care efficient, personalized, and easy to access. IoT helps make better decisions through real-time monitoring and data insights, lowers healthcare costs, and gives patients control over their health. 

Everything from wearable devices to advanced AI analysis will be part of the future of healthcare and increase connectedness. These new ideas will not only improve results but also help more people get healthcare and make operations work better. As the Internet of Things improves, the chances of getting improved healthcare also increase.