Spurred by the growing need for services outside the traditional office setting, the connected healthcare market is rapidly expanding…
Quality medical care has always been built on strong personal connections, but recent developments in telehealth have spurred ‘Connected Health’ – the delivery and management of healthcare services using remote technology.
Connected Health uses the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) to give practitioners real-time insights into patient vitals, allowing them to monitor conditions and provide treatment without requiring in-person visits.
Introducing the Internet of Medical Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) is all around us. It refers to any device capable of exchanging data online, usually via the cloud autonomously. In connected healthcare, IoMT devices monitor and treat patients at home, extending doctors’ reach beyond the clinic or hospital. Some examples of IoMT devices:
- Personal emergency response systems
- Wearable biosensors such as smartwatches
- Smart medication dispensers
- Remote insulin pumps
- Blood pressure or heart rate monitors
- At-home dialysis machines
- CPAP machines
Connecting for Remote Diagnostics
These tools provide caregivers with a continuous stream of data, giving them a more comprehensive view of their patient’s conditions than intermittent clinical visits or temporary hospital stays. Wearable devices can provide real-time patient vital signs monitoring, while AI algorithms can analyze this data to flag potential health issues.
The Benefits of Connected Healthcare
Connected healthcare offers numerous benefits for patients, physicians, and healthcare organizations.
- Better access to care – Telehealth is an equitable mode of care, as it removes barriers like cost and travel time for patients with limited mobility or who live in remote areas. Patients can interact with their doctors and receive clinical-grade treatment from the comfort of their own homes.
- Increased efficiency – IoMT devices autonomously monitor patient vitals or deliver treatment without direct provider intervention. Clinics can devote in-person resources to acute cases while chronic patients receive care at home.
- Improved patient outcomes – Patients often thrive better in familiar environments rather than hospital settings. Wearable devices, medication dispensers, and at-home diagnostic systems keep them engaged in their treatment while still being able to go about their routines. This leads to greater patient satisfaction and better recovery rates.
Integrate Your Communications with HIPAA-compliant Mitel Healthcare Solutions
CTS can help innovative healthcare companies offer patients a more proactive care experience using connected devices, endpoints, and other sensors.
For instance, if a provider has a patient with a heart condition, they could receive a notification directly on their smartphone if the patient’s heart rate moved above or below an acceptable range – thanks to IoMT sensors and wearable devices. Similarly, a smart pill case could alert staff that a patient missed a dosage, even if they’re at home. Solutions like these can reduce the chances of an emergency and proactively support patient health.
Connect with a CTS expert to learn new ways to connect and futureproof your practice with secure, scalable UC technology. Contact us today at 800.787.4848 or jnolte@ctsmd.us.