Navigating the Healthcare IoT Journey, Part I

We recently explored the five stops along the IoT journey and how they apply to the Healthcare industry: 

1. Multi-Carrier Connectivity
2. Platform Capabilities
3. Devices and Solutions
4. Device Certification
5. Customer Support

Evaluating and implementing these five steps are crucial to successfully developing, launching, and maintaining IoT technology. In this installation, we will take a deeper dive into the importance of multi-carrier connectivity and platform capabilities and how they can benefit real-life Healthcare IoT applications.

Multi-Carrier Connectivity and Diabetes Management

Patients with diabetes have more options than ever to manage their condition via IoT-powered solutions that give them greater control, increased convenience, and access to more accurate data in real time. Such breakthroughs include:

• Connected insulin pumps
• Automated glucose reading devices
• Ingestible devices that help manage the condition from within

Connectivity is key for any IoT-based tool. For organizations developing such devices, it is critical to ensure that these amazing innovations can connect to a reliable network regardless of patient location. Having access to multiple cellular carrier networks enables these organizations to offer their solutions in multiple geographies, reaching patients who may live in rural or remote areas.

Platform Capabilities and Tracking and Monitoring Services

Location-based solution (LBS) platforms are becoming an increasingly critical facet of today’s healthcare experience. Hospitals rely on real-time information regarding the location of assets such as transplant organs in transit, emergency response vehicles, and even the location of hospital equipment and available beds.

Referencing the organ tracking example mentioned above, having the technology and resources available to perform an organ transplant is critical, but the implementation of IoT-powered LBS platform solutions ensure safe and timely organ delivery. By providing real-time access to the location of the organ, as well as other important data points such as temperature and humidity levels, medical professionals have the information they need to efficiently prepare for and execute the procedure.