Why are IOT platforms necessary on the road to smart healthcare?

With the healthcare digital transformation comes the proliferation of connected devices and software applications – also referred to as the Internet of “medical” things, generating each day a colossal amount of valuable and insightful data.
In order to make the most of the IoMT, hospitals need to manage applications and securely collect, analyse and store data. And a good IoT platform is critical.

What is an IoT platform?

An IoT platform can be seen as a control tower enabling coordination and communication among connected devices and applications. It builds on several instruments such as software, clouds, applications, servers and can also integrate components already provided on site.
Within the hospital, IoT platforms facilitate real-time communication between patients, doctors and medical assets thus improving healthcare.

There are as many IoT platforms as IoT platform providers.
While some features offered by IoT platforms are shared amongst industries, some functions are business-specific.

In a healthcare environment, IoT platforms will collect and process data transmitted by a myriad of on-site devices as well as remote medical devices sometimes with poor connectivity. The data collected is manifold and includes physical measurements such as blood pressure, pulse, etc., and more operational facts like the oxygen level in a tank, the number of assets deployed, etc.

Data collected should be accessible in real time to enable an adequate reaction to situations happening at that moment. With the deployment of assisted medical surgery, it is crucial. However, the data should also be collected massively and processed for analytical and statistical purposes. Data analytics is key to reducing costs.

Technical functions focus on connectivity and security and are applicable to all IoT platforms. Some of the key functions in healthcare include :

Tracking each device so as to notice device malfunctions or signal loss for instance;
Monitoring tag battery levels, which enables battery replacement planning;
Monitoring hacking attempts thus preventing cybersecurity risks;
Updating software to fix bugs;
Carrying out remote diagnostics and remote operation without technicians having to go on site.

Choosing the right platform (and platform provider) is not to be taken lightly ;
Once a solution is implemented, it’s unlikely to be changed overnight. A good IoT platform must hold the ability to connect with an ever-increasing number of devices and adapt to future digital solutions without bugs. Technological issues are the last thing hospitals need on the road to smart healthcare.

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