The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) in healthcare refers to medical devices and systems integrated with Internet connectivity to enable data sharing and analysis. It is estimated that the IoMT market may grow from $61.56 billion in 2022 to over $331.1 billion by 2030. This rapid expansion highlights the increasing integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) enabled medical devices and systems in healthcare.
This weekly summary from Tenovi highlights recent studies exploring applications of IoMT in healthcare published this week.
Use Cases of IoMT in Healthcare
A study published in the Journal of Infection and Public Health describes applications of IoMT in healthcare areas, such as remote patient monitoring, telemedicine, clinical decision, and personalized care. In hospital settings, IoMT has a variety of applications, from expediting urgent care and hospital bed occupancy to regulating refrigerator temperature. It also enables tracking of a hospital’s blood supply and available blood types. In addition, some hospitals use IoMT with emergency medical services to redirect patients to a hospital with space available.
Remote patient monitoring devices facilitated by IoMT allow real-time collection and analysis—for instance, biometric data such as temperature, blood pressure, glucose levels, and weight. AI and machine learning algorithms help turn patient data into valuable predictive and preventive care insights.
IoMT systems can also pose technical and regulatory challenges around the reliability of data, battery life of devices, cost-effectiveness, interoperability, data privacy, and security. The study explores state-of-the-art IoMT technologies like 5G networking, blockchain, virtual reality, and point-of-care diagnostics that seek to address these challenges.
The research also covers potential future use cases for IoMT in healthcare. One suggested use case is tracking cardiac output, heartbeat, pulse rate, and breathing rate for urgent care treatment. For example, the device could notify a physician if a patient’s temperature spikes while waiting for an appointment. This article provides a comprehensive overview of current and future innovative trends in IoMT technology.
Hypertensive Pregnancy Disorders
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are among the top contributors to maternal mortality globally. The postpartum period is especially high risk for complications from high blood pressure. Predicting which women are most at risk for postpartum spikes can lead to improved monitoring and treatment plans to keep new mothers safe. This week, we review a study in IoMT in healthcare for monitoring pregnancy hypertensive disorders postpartum.
In a retrospective study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM, researchers developed a model to divide women into risk clusters after giving birth. The groups had a low, medium, and high likelihood of experiencing a hypertensive crisis in the first week postpartum. Researchers found that over 60% of study participants had significant blood pressure spikes during the high-risk period 3-7 days after discharge.
Women in the medium and high-risk groups saw clear benefits from longer hospital stays and blood pressure medications after leaving the hospital. Discharge of patients only when their blood pressure was below 140/90 mm/Hg optimally balanced safety and efficiency. For low-risk postpartum women, additional interventions did not significantly impact their likelihood of developing dangerous blood pressure spikes.
The research reveals the potential for data-driven models that establish personalized post-delivery care based on an individual’s risk profile. Targeting remote monitoring and treatment to those most vulnerable to hypertension could lead to better outcomes and fewer childbirth-related tragedies.
Three main strategies identified in the study to prevent postpartum blood pressure spikes after hospital discharge were:
- Medium and high-risk patients should have a longer postpartum hospital stay or use a remote blood pressure monitoring program after discharge.
- Patients classified as medium or high-risk should be prescribed antihypertensive medication upon discharge from the hospital.
- Any discharged postpartum patients should be prescribed antihypertensive medication if their blood pressure is greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg.
Remote Temperature Monitoring in Diabetic Patients
Neuropathic foot ulcers pose a significant risk of nontraumatic foot amputations, especially in diabetic patients. Traditional monitoring methods through periodic clinic visits may not provide timely interventions. This study explores the effectiveness of IoMT in healthcare with continuous remote temperature monitoring programs in preventing foot ulcers and amputations in diabetic patients.
Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis on 115 high-risk patients from 15 podiatry offices who received continuous remote temperature monitoring socks. The enrollment was based on medical necessity as decided by their managing physician. Researchers evaluated data from up to 2 years before enrollment and up to 3 years during the program. Primary outcome measures included wound development rates, with secondary outcomes focusing on ulcer severity, amputation rates, and outpatient podiatry visits.
Results showed that the remote temperature monitoring program for diabetic foot care led to several beneficial outcomes compared to usual care.
The study results revealed significant relative risk reductions of 68% in foot ulceration rates, 86% in moderate to severe ulcers, 83% in amputations, and 63% for hospitalizations. Additionally, outpatient podiatry visits decreased significantly during the program. Researchers concluded that continuous remote temperature monitoring prevented foot ulcers and nontraumatic amputations in high-risk diabetic patients.
Understanding IoMT in Healthcare
This week, we presented valuable evidence supporting IoMT in healthcare to monitor postpartum blood pressure and diabetic foot temperatures remotely. Precision prevention and treatment facilitated by IoMT demonstrates the potential to target resources to those patients most vulnerable to dangerous complications. We will continue highlighting the latest innovative applications of the IoMT in healthcare each week.
