The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is a collection of medical devices and applications that connect to health IT systems via Internet networks. The Internet of Medical Things contributes to improving patient monitoring and healthcare operations, in addition to increasing operational efficiency and reducing operational costs.
* Practical applications of the Internet of Medical Things in healthcare:
– Use of remote monitoring (RPM) systems for people with chronic diseases and long-term conditions.
– Tracking patients’ medication orders.
– Tracking the locations of patients staying in hospitals.
– Collecting data from wearable devices related to the patient’s health.
– Connecting ambulances on their way to medical facilities with health teams inside the hospital.
Wi-Fi-enabled medical devices enable machine-to-machine communication, forming the basis for the Internet of Medical Things. These devices also connect to cloud computing platforms where data is stored and analyzed. Also known as Healthcare IoT, the practice that uses medical IoT devices to monitor patients remotely is referred to as telemedicine, as this technology spares patients the need to visit a hospital or clinic every time there are changes in their health condition.
* The impact of the Internet of Medical Things on healthcare:
The Internet of Medical Things contributes to increasing the volume of health data available to caregivers, the diversity of its sources, and the speed of its collection and analysis. This vast amount of data improves the ability of patients and doctors to make accurate decisions. The Internet of Medical Things also provides the infrastructure for telemedicine and virtual care, which has flourished during the Covid-19 pandemic to reduce the movement of patients to health facilities and relieve pressure on crowded hospitals. Telemedicine provides access to specialist doctors who may be difficult to meet in person.
* Benefits of the Internet of Medical Things: “IoMT”:
1. Patient monitoring systems: The Internet of Medical Things allows patients with chronic diseases to be monitored around the clock, and provides healthcare providers with accurate data about the patient’s living environment, which can influence the treatment plan.
2. Enhancing accessibility: It gives patients wider access to health information and enables them to obtain services whenever they need them via telemedicine applications.
3. Controlling costs: Remote monitoring systems contribute to reducing the costs of in-person visits, and processing data more quickly saves time, enabling service providers to direct resources towards the cases most in need.
4. Improving the patient experience: IoT medical technologies enable patient self-services and reduce the need for face-to-face visits. Wearable devices also give patients direct access to their health data without completely relying on a doctor.
5. Accuracy: It provides a greater amount of data, which allows doctors to more accurately analyze the patient’s condition. For example, an IoT-enabled blood pressure monitor can record multiple readings, providing a more accurate diagnosis than a single reading in the clinic.
6. Logistics: IoT medical devices are used to monitor medical equipment within health facilities, and send immediate alerts when maintenance is needed or malfunctions occur.
