Today more than ever, wearable IoT devices are playing a significant role in the healthcare industry by providing the information that is vital for patients to have control of their health outcomes. Owing to the continuous tech advancement, healthcare is gaining better access to patients’ information to offer a comprehensive understanding of their state and improving care.

Wearable technology is disrupting the healthcare industry due to the increased use of wearables, starting from Fitbit to other medical devices permitted by the Food and Drug Administration (USFDA or FDA). Based on the report done by Markets and Markets, the wearable technology market is expected to reach $51.6 billion in the next three years.

Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings can all utilize Wearable IoT devices to facilitate doctor decision-making, improve patient comfort, and make healthcare environments safer for both patients and the staff. In 2020 remote patient monitoring became very popular during the pandemic. Due to cost savings it is expected their use will continue to grow.

There is a vast landscape of healthcare stakeholders, and possibilities with IoT healthcare projects, including personal healthcare, healthcare insurance, the pharmaceutical industry, RTHS, healthcare building facilities, smart beds, robotics, biosensors, smart pills, anything remote, and the various medical specializations, activities and even disease treatment – the possibilities are endless both for the healthcare industry and device designers and manufacturers.

Ways Wearable IoT Devices Benefit Healthcare

Wearable IoT devices are a key part to remote patient monitoring. Doctors can easily and reliably track health vitals, physical activity, and other vital aspects that lead to adjustments to treatment plans or interventions.

Compared to fitness tracking devices, these wearables monitor chronic health conditions or treat illnesses. Clinical-grade wearables include smart belts typically used by elderly patients for fall detection. Chest straps are being replaced with adhesive patches for ECG, heart rate, respiratory, and temperature rate sensing. These wearables provide doctors with real-time access to the health status of their patients while promoting patient engagement in medical treatments.

To continue observation for discharged patients, hospitals use remote patient monitoring devices that accelerate patient recovery time and avoid patient readmission into a healthcare facility. Wearable IoT devices empower medical practitioners to pay virtual visits and monitor their patient’s status post-discharge. It provides a platform for hospitals to offer healthcare services at a lesser cost.

Voler Systems has previously developed a sleep monitoring prototype for Somnology Inc. Voler Systems fixed and delivered the prototype where two prior firms failed.

Don Aoki, Product Development head at Somnology Inc., stated, “I have high confidence in Voler’s engineering acumen, customer service, and integrity. In short, they are an outstanding team that I endorse wholeheartedly.”

Voler Systems also developed a heart monitor that collects data from patients at home. The product is similar to a Holter monitor but boasts a smaller form factor and greater convenience, allowing it to collect data for a much longer time with more normal behavior.

Like all inventions, there are notable pros and cons to wearable technology in healthcare. Thankfully, discovered negative outcomes are helping to improve this technology and minimize its drawbacks. One serious issue is the lack of standards for data transmission, making it difficult to send data to electronic health record systems (EHR). Another issue is dealing with the large volume of data. Doctors are not able to review several days of ECG data, for example. Artificial Intelligence (AI) software is being developed to automatically review data and alert health care professionals when intervention is needed.

As wearable IoT devices continue to be used and evolve, we will see healthcare facilities become more advanced, offering better patient care and improved experiences for patients. Patients can save time on office visits, particularly in remote areas. Continuous monitoring provides the doctor a better understanding of health than measurements taking on occasional office visits.

With better devices and more data, we will acquire new insights about patient care, medical environments, and treatment options. Access to data will let doctors identify trends and see new aspects of medical care which were formerly tough to understand and utilize. The impact of wearable IoT in healthcare is only beginning, and many innovative solutions are in the future.

End Note

Companies making wearable IoT for healthcare are overwhelmed with the demand or are looking for ways to get into this in-demand market. These companies need assistance from expert electronic design teams specializing in wearable IoT devices to develop their products on a budget efficiently and quickly push it to the market. Voler has helped many companies build the next-generation wearable IoT devices for use in the healthcare sector. Voler’s design experience includes popular devices with partners such as Intel, Qualcomm, Microchip, Intel, LinkLabs, and others.

About Voler

Located in Silicon Valley and with more than 40 years of electronic design experience, Voler Systems continues to be a leading custom product design consulting company providing high-quality electrical engineering and firmware development. Voler Systems ensures delivery of quality products, on time, on budget with low risk. All projects are undertaken with good specifications, the right people, quality design, constant communication, and a smooth transfer to manufacturing.