Healthc Inform Res.  2022 Oct;28(4):287-296. 10.4258/hir.2022.28.4.287.

Usage of the Internet of Things in Medical Institutions and its Implications

• Kong HJ
• An S
• Lee S
• Cho S
• Hong J
• Kim S
• Lee S

• KMID: 2535804
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2022.28.4.287

Abstract

Objectives
The purpose of this study was to explore new ways of creating value in the medical field and to derive recommendations for the role of medical institutions and the government.
Methods
In this paper, based on expert discussion, we classified Internet of Things (IoT) technologies into four categories according to the type of information they collect (location, environmental parameters, energy consumption, and biometrics), and investigated examples of application.
Results
Biometric IoT diagnoses diseases accurately and offers appropriate and effective treatment. Environmental parameter measurement plays an important role in accurately identifying and controlling environmental factors that could be harmful to patients. The use of energy measurement and location tracking technology enabled optimal allocation of limited hospital resources and increased the efficiency of energy consumption. The resulting economic value has returned to patients, improving hospitals’ cost-effectiveness.
Conclusions
Introducing IoT-based technology to clinical sites, including medical institutions, will enhance the quality of medical services, increase patient safety, improve management efficiency, and promote patient-centered medical services. Moreover, the IoT is expected to play an active role in the five major tasks of facility hygiene in medical fields, which are all required to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic: social distancing, contact tracking, bed occupancy control, and air quality management. Ultimately, the IoT is expected to serve as a key element for hospitals to perform their original functions more effectively. Continuing investments, deregulation policies, information protection, and IT standardization activities should be carried out more actively for the IoT to fulfill its expectations.

Keyword

Delivery of Health Care; Hospital Administration; Internet of Things; Health Care Reform; Quality of Healthcare

Figure

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  Figure 1 Using Internet of Things (IoT) in medical institutions. This picture has been designed using resources from https://www.flaticon.com/. EKG: electrocardiogram, EEG: electroencephalogram, API: application programming interface.

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  Figure 2 Real-time location system (A) and inpatient BLE tag (B) of Yongin Severance Hospital. Adapted from Medical Observer News [17].

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  Figure 3 Real-time localization using smart bed from Simplinic GmbH. Adapted from Medical Magazine [18].

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  Figure 4 Operating room at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital. Adapted from Vaisala.com [19].

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  Figure 5 Smart indoor air quality improvement service screen at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital. Adapted from the Korean Hospital Association [20].

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  Figure 6 User interface of a continuous blood glucose monitoring sensor and its principles. Adapted from Abbott Laboratory Ltd. [26].

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  Figure 7 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response service using biometric sensors. Adapted from Jamil F, et al. Sensors 2020;20(8):2195 [29]. EMG: electromyogram, ECG: electrocardiogram, SpO2: oxygen saturation, IoT: Internet of Things, EHR: Electronic Health Record.

Reference

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