By Arthur A. Burley 
Imagine a world where all healthcare professionals involved in patient care have easy access to the same holistic view – no matter if it’s in a high tech hospital room where the patient is about for life-saving surgery or in a video consultation with a patient who needs advice based on her home therapy device.
As I mentioned in my previous article, the Internet of Things will make this vision a reality. The combination of AI, ubiquitous connectivity, and digital platforms will all support well-being and health. This will be possible through integrated care systems based on people’s needs.
How is the future connected?
This article will cover a wider range of IoT applications in healthcare. Some are already available, while others are still on the horizon. Each has the potential to achieve the Quadruple Aim, which is to improve patient and staff experiences while delivering better health outcomes at a lower cost.
Care that is location-dependent or location-independent
Many aspects of healthcare are now possible with IoT-enabled solutions. We no longer need to send patients to a specific room in the hospital or to a doctor’s office to access certain medical technology. Instead, we can bring that technology directly to the patient.
Philips Lumify is a mobile, handheld ultrasound system that provides high-quality ultrasound at the point of care. This is an example of a location-independent medical diagnosis. Lumify allows cardiologists at the Haga Teaching Hospital to quickly inspect the heart without needing a heavy ultrasound machine from the echo room.
The hospital does not have to be the only place where portable ultrasound can be used. Mobile medical helicopters flying medevac can take echo images on-the-spot for diagnosis and treatment. Live-streaming images can be sent directly to the hospital, so staff can know what to expect and prepare accordingly.
Remote training for caregivers in remote areas of the globe is possible with live streaming. A mentoring program links a group of US-based and European ultrasound experts to local caregivers in Rwanda to improve emergency medicine. With connected technology increasing the accessibility of care, I expect more such initiatives in the future.
From reactive and episodic care to proactive and continuous care
The second IoT-enabled trend is similar to the first but goes one step further. The IoT, based on AI and predictive analytics, allows for care to be location-independent. It also makes it more continuous, proactive and preventative, allowing caregivers to take action pre-emptively, no matter where they are needed.
One example is patient monitoring. Intermittent bedside monitoring of vital signs such as heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure can only give a snapshot of the patient’s time. A wearable biosensor allows caregivers to monitor patient vital signs between regular spot checks. Smart algorithms can use the data to inform caregivers about patient conditions and notify them when intervention is required. This allows caregivers to provide timely care.
Patients can be remotely monitored in today’s connected world – sometimes even as far as 10,000 miles away.
Connected technology allows Perth’s clinicians to remotely provide critical care support for patients in Atlanta, U.S., during the day. Remote experts can communicate via live video links with caregivers and advice on the best course. This eICU model can reduce the traditional night shift workload and help address a shortage of intensivists.
Studies have shown that eICU programs can reduce ICU mortality by 20% [1], provide care savings of almost $1,500 per patient over 60 days [2] and decrease ICU lengths by 30% [3]. These amazing results demonstrate the importance of patient monitoring in all settings.
Monitor patient status at home or in a hospital
The IoT allows for continuous health monitoring via wearable technology and personal records. Healthcare professionals now have better ways to monitor a patient’s condition outside of the hospital. This is both before and after an intervention. This will help patients get in the best possible condition, reduce hospital stay time, and avoid unnecessary readmissions. Instead of spending time in a hospital bed, patients can recuperate in their own homes.
Rijnstate, a forward-thinking Dutch hospital, explores virtual care models in line with this philosophy. Patients who have bowel or stomach surgery must stay at the hospital for several days. These patients might be able to return home sooner if they have pre-surgery care coaching and remote monitoring. These virtual care models require close collaboration with a larger network of care providers, including home caregivers and primary physicians.
Hospitals in the U.S. are being redesigned to meet the needs of patients with COPD. Patients with COPD often have to be readmitted multiple times. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services started penalizing hospitals for readmissions in less than 30 days in 2015. A pilot program in Alabama that focused on ongoing health monitoring and education following hospital discharge reduced acute 30-day COPD readmissions by 80% in just three fiscal quarters. Cost reductions: $1.3 million
Information flows can be one-way or two-way
The IoT has brought another change to healthcare. Previously, the doctor collected and managed the patient’s healthcare information. Today, the patient can be more involved in sharing and collecting information about their health and well-being – creating a two-way communication network.
A smartphone-based platform that we announced earlier this year allows seniors to create and activate a care group of trusted friends, family members, and caregivers. This gives them visibility into their health status. The entire care circle can access the same information, including notifications from the senior’s alert system. This simplifies the coordination of care.
The alert system is used by seniors today. It works via a button on a pendant or wristband.
We can also help professional caregivers provide predictive care for seniors at-risk in their own homes. This includes combining fall detection sensors and other data sources to avoid unnecessary hospital readmissions. We will be able to intervene if there are new health risks thanks to advances in IoT and advanced analytics quickly. As more information about our health becomes available, it is vital to maintain privacy and security.
From ad-hoc improvement to continuous operational improvement
We have focused on the IoT’s potential to support patients and healthcare professionals by making care more connected across different settings. The IoT’s impact goes beyond this.
We can collect and analyze data to improve the utilization and uptime of medical devices and systems as they become more interconnected and remotely accessible. It’s not just about when something goes wrong, but regularly to ensure that systems and devices are being used most efficiently and effectively to achieve operational and financial goals.