Internet of Things (IoT) implementation in healthcare can bring benefits such as increased efficiency, increased patient engagement, reduced wait times and more personalized care. However, there are several challenges to implementing IoT in healthcare including lack of data sharing between devices and applications, high cost of equipment and software, lack of standards and more.
For doctors and nurses to see how their patients are doing, they need to know what symptoms they are experiencing. By using IoT in healthcare apps, hospitals can track the symptoms and measure how much progress a patient is making. This enables health care professionals to be more precise with their diagnoses and treatment plans by looking at data rather than just relying on gut instinct. Here are 8 big challenges of implementing IoT in healthcare that you should be aware of if you’re thinking about incorporating IoT into your practice or hospital.
1. Lack of Standardization
One of the biggest challenges is the lack of standardization. There are many different approaches to developing and deploying IoT technology, so finding a way to fit your needs will be a challenge. For example, there are currently four different wireless standards in healthcare—Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi and 6LoWPAN. The available standards vary by frequency and range of data transmission, which can make for difficult decisions about what standard is best for your project.
2. Security and Privacy Concerns
Security and privacy are the top concern for many executives looking to implement IoT, but they shouldn’t be. The advantages that come with using such a system far outweigh the risks associated with it. The only way this data could pose a security threat is if it falls into the wrong hands.
3. Integration with Legacy Systems
Integrating with legacy systems is one of the biggest challenges for healthcare organizations that want to implement Internet of Things technology. Legacy systems, or old computer and software systems, are often incompatible with the cloud-based services needed to run an IoT system. This can lead to higher costs, increased risk and a lack of interoperability with other technologies.
4. Limited Bandwidth and Connectivity
Limited bandwidth and connectivity can have a significant negative effect on an entire network. This can be especially problematic for healthcare professionals because they require high-bandwidth, low-latency connection to diagnose and treat patients. Some solutions are building off the backbone infrastructure that exists in hospitals. Others are using satellite communications with terrestrial backhaul. The Department of Defense is also studying how to use military satellites as a part of their new Wideband Global Satcom System (WGS).
5. High Implementation Costs
Implementation costs can be high due to the need for new infrastructures, such as servers and databases. The high cost is also a result of the expense of the devices themselves. For example, just a few years ago, a typical sensor would cost tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars; now, sensors can range from $1-$10 apiece. This dramatic drop in price has led to an increase in demand for sensors that are capable enough for use on hospital grounds.
6. Lack of Skilled Professionals
The lack of skilled professionals is a big challenge. For one, many doctors and nurses don’t know how to use the devices themselves, which means they can’t help their patients learn. And since these devices are very expensive, medical facilities may not be able to afford skilled professionals to learn and train on their own behalf.
7. Cyber Attacks
Cyber Attacks are one of the biggest challenges to implementing IoT technology. These attacks can take many forms, but there are some telltale signs that may indicate a cyber attack is underway. For example, if your network begins experiencing unexplained slowdowns or network traffic spikes, it could be an indication of malicious activity. In addition, if you notice more and more instances where important data has been corrupted or tampered with it may be an indication of a potential attack on your system. Of course, not all networks experience these symptoms so it’s important to monitor your system closely for any unusual behavior before panicking and thinking you’re under siege.
8. Data Quality
The lack of data quality is another major challenge that companies face when implementing IoT. Data quality refers to the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of collected data. The problem with this is that it will not only affect the integrity and credibility of the collected data but also provide a skewed view on what is actually happening. There are different techniques that can be used to improve the data quality such as scrubbing duplicate records and cleansing dirty data. Companies need to create standards for how they collect, store, manage and use information in order to ensure a high-quality outcome.
Conclusion
The implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) presents a unique opportunity for healthcare organizations to reduce costs and improve the quality of care. The challenges that can arise when implementing a new technology are not always easy to predict. The most important thing is to take the time to anticipate and plan for these challenges before they happen.
If you don’t, you’ll end up scrambling when something goes wrong and will be more likely to give up on your idea altogether. For this reason, it’s important to hire iphone developers in india if you’re planning on adding new technology or changing current processes.
