Digitalization in Healthcare

The healthcare industry is very complex. It includes medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, medical practices, therapy practices, geriatric care facilities, medical supply stores, laboratories and diagnostic centers, equipment manufacturers, health authorities, health insurance companies, and research departments.

In short: All sectors that are directly concerned with maintaining health or promoting health-oriented processes are included. Several partners work together on many health-promoting measures. The more transparent and data protection-compliant the communication is between them, the more efficient decisions can be made about therapies and treatments.

The healthcare sector is part of the critical infrastructure and ensures the well-being of a society. The healthcare industry can be broadly divided into two areas. The first sub-sector comprises all facilities that are in direct contact with patients. The second area focuses primarily on medical products, pharmaceuticals, laboratory analyses, and the financing of the healthcare system. Both areas are closely related to telematics in the healthcare industry.

Clinics and hospitals provide medical care for patients with a variety of health problems and diseases. They include emergency rooms, outpatient clinics, wards, operating rooms, diagnostic facilities, and rehabilitation centers. Outpatient facilities are emergency rooms or the offices of general practitioners and specialists.

Laboratories and diagnostic centers specialize in tests and laboratory examinations. They are operated privately or are directly connected to hospitals. Laboratory medicine tasks include clinical chemistry, immunochemistry, hematology, microbiology, transfusion medicine and human genetics.

These companies research, test, and develop pharmaceutical or biotechnological substances. This mainly involves the production of medicine or vaccines.

Retirement and nursing homes provide long-term care and support for elderly people who need assistance in coping with everyday life and may suffer from chronic illnesses or physical limitations. These facilities offer accommodation, meals, medical care, assistance with personal hygiene, social activities, and other services.

Medical aids are essential in hospitals and medical practices. Starting with life-saving machines, life-sustaining devices, but also diagnostic equipment such as X-ray machines, surgical instruments, implants, prostheses, or monitors that keep track of the patient’s health status, through to medical furnishings such as patient beds or wheelchairs. Manufacturers of imaging procedures, and diagnostic and treatment solutions are also included. The variety of products already shows that asset tracking and asset management is a key application in the healthcare industry.

These include health insurance companies, pharmacies, nursing services, physiotherapy practices, health centers, hospices, and health consultation centers. Research facilities and academic institutions conduct medical research, train healthcare professionals, and offer further education programs for medical staff. These include university hospitals, research institutes, medical faculties, and schools for healthcare professions.

The tasks of health authorities include the approval of drugs and medical products, the monitoring of health risks, the promotion of preventive healthcare, and the implementation of health policy measures and programs.

The importance and impact of wireless systems in the healthcare industry are undisputed. The benefits of detecting objects such as blood reserves or implants, the binding documentation of maintenance cycles, guaranteed compliance with hygiene regulations, the safety of staff in hospitals, and the correct allocation of cannulas and tubes are just a few examples that demonstrate the relevance of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in clinics and in the entire medical environment.

The cost explosion in the healthcare industry has led to the step-by-step automation of many processes. These include asset tracking, access solutions, pneumatic tube systems, and ultra-modern and innovative surgical robots. Nevertheless, the medical sector remains a sensitive field of application as soon as patient data and their medical records are affected. Hospitals must function like high-security wards in terms of corporate data security and patient data security. The relationship between increasing digitalization and the risk of being exposed to cyber attacks is also critical. It is clear that the entire sub-sector of clinics, medical practices, rehabilitation centers, or therapy practices is particularly vulnerable, as it involves sensitive health data.

The integration of wireless IoT in asset management, temperature monitoring, servicing and maintenance, room air or temperature monitoring, and medication administration is growing steadily. Increasing automation and digitalization for companies can alleviate bottlenecks in the skilled labor sector to some extent. In addition, numerous application scenarios, which are discussed in more detail in the practical chapter, are being implemented to increase the safety of all processes in hospitals, and at the same time, to optimize quality assurance in the healthcare industry and in patient care.

Overall, the use of wireless IoT solutions in the medical sector, including hospitals, laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies, has increased significantly in recent years. Wireless IoT technologies are also being used in laboratories. This mainly involves the unique identification of samples, and the management and monitoring of temperature-sensitive drugs using sensors. The same applies to the research sector or pharmaceutical companies. Laboratory equipment is identified and controlled, localized in real time, sensitive samples uniquely identified, and maintenance cycles of laboratory equipment monitored.

The product range for wireless IT solutions and IoT in the healthcare sector is extensive. RFID tags and read/write devices are used for the unique labeling and identification of medical devices, furniture, inventory, or equipment. Special miniaturized transponders are used on instruments. These transponders are able to withstand the demanding processes of sterilization and chemical cleaning.

In addition to RFID technology, it is primarily RTLS technology that optimizes processes in hospitals in the long term. Knowing exactly where which device, wheelchair, or piece of equipment is located can save lives. In any case, clear localization saves a lot of time.

Other products in the medical environment are Bluetooth LE or LoRaWAN gateways. They enable the transmission of health data from wearables, medical devices, and sensors to central databases or health information systems.

Antennas, cameras, and medical imaging systems, monitoring systems, and telemedicine platforms are also installed to enable the digitalization of processes in hospitals. This variety of products is complemented by medical trackers that enable the continuous monitoring and analysis of health data.

The IoT hardware for the healthcare sector is supported by software solutions. These include electronic patient records (EPR), hospital information systems (HIS), laboratory information management systems (LIMS), imaging systems, telemedicine platforms, health apps, and health data analysis tools.

According to a report by ‘Precedence Research’, the global market for IoT in healthcare is estimated at 180 billion USD in 2022, and is expected to grow to around 962.21 billion USD by 2032. North America dominated the market in 2022 with a revenue share of over 40.3 percent, while Asia Pacific is expected to grow by 18.50 percent between 2023 and 2032.

According to an EIU study, healthcare expenditure will increase by 6.1 percent. Expenditure on pharmaceuticals is expected to increase by 6.5 percent by 2024. Drug prices will continue to rise. Digital health will continue to develop, particularly as a result of increasing investment in artificial intelligence (AI). According to a report by Morgan Stanley, more than 10 percent of the budget is expected to flow into AI and machine learning in 2024.

The following sections highlight the numerous areas of application for wireless IoT sensors in the healthcare industry. Overall, the industry is experiencing steady sales growth. The need to reduce costs while optimizing service quality and patient care has led to the implementation of automation and digitalization solutions.

The spectrum ranges from simple access solutions and complex authentication solutions, to real-time monitoring solutions, and maintenance and emergency solutions. Overall, the healthcare industry is preparing for big data through the increasing integration of analytics software and cloud computing. E-learning tools and AI algorithms are increasingly being integrated in order to innovatively advance quality assurance in the healthcare industry and in patient welfare.

Overall, successful digitalization in the healthcare industry requires a comprehensive strategy that takes into account regulatory, technological, financial, and cultural aspects, and takes a holistic approach to overcoming obstacles and fully exploiting the benefits of digitalization. The assessment of digitalization in the healthcare industry, compared to other industries, is therefore complex and depends on various factors.

An assessment often begins with a comparison with other industries. Here, the healthcare industry does indeed perform more slowly. In this context, slower refers to the speed at which digitalization strategies are being integrated in the healthcare industry. Highly sensitive data from patient records must be stored securely in the healthcare industry and protected against unauthorized access. Hasty digitization strategies and potential gateways for cybercrime must be avoided at all costs. If, as has already happened, a hospital is partially paralyzed by cyberattacks, there are far-reaching consequences for the safety and possibly also the health of patients.

In no other industry is the assessment of digitalization characterized by such contradictory assessments as in the healthcare industry. On the one hand, automation strategies and wireless identification technologies represent optimization opportunities and help to at least partially counteract the shortage of skilled workers and increase process quality.

On the other hand, it is precisely these automation and digitalization solutions that are becoming gateways for data misuse and cybercrime. It is therefore not surprising that digitalization strategies hardly affect patient data itself. In most cases, it is about monitoring assets, medical devices, access solutions, and the correct administration of medication. Sensor technology used directly on patients promote health. Examples of this are the use of prostheses and wound healing. The following section shows how great the potential is for future fields of application in the healthcare industry.

The Internet of Things (IoT) and radio frequency identification (RFID) are of great importance in the hospital environment and are revolutionizing the healthcare industry. IoT in medicine enables the networking of various medical devices and systems, which significantly increases the efficiency and quality of patient care. IoT allows patient data to be recorded and monitored in real time, enabling faster and more precise diagnosis and personalized treatment.

The application of machine learning in healthcare complements these developments by analyzing large amounts of data collected by IoT devices. This enables algorithms to recognize patterns that remain invisible to the human eye and thus make better predictions about disease progression and treatment success. These advanced analyses help to optimize treatment plans and use resources more efficiently.

RFID in hospitals also has a transformative effect. This technology enables the tracking and management of medical devices, medication, and even patients. RFID tags on medication, for example, can ensure that the right drugs are administered to the right patients at the right time, drastically reducing medication errors. RFID also facilitates the tracking of surgical instruments and other medical devices, preventing the loss of such expensive equipment and optimizing sterilization processes.

In summary, IoT and RFID in hospitals help to increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve the quality of patient care. The integration of AI and machine learning, during surgery for example, further enhances these benefits as the data generated by IoT and RFID can be transformed into valuable insights. This leads to an overall smarter and more responsive healthcare infrastructure that can better meet the needs of patients.

The Internet of Things (IoT) and radio frequency identification (RFID) are of great importance in the hospital environment and are revolutionizing the healthcare industry. IoT in medicine enables the networking of various medical devices and systems, which significantly increases the efficiency and quality of patient care. IoT allows patient data to be recorded and monitored in real time, enabling faster and more precise diagnosis and personalized treatment.

The application of machine learning in healthcare complements these developments by analyzing large amounts of data collected by IoT devices. This enables algorithms to recognize patterns that remain invisible to the human eye and thus make better predictions about disease progression and treatment success. These advanced analyses help to optimize treatment plans and use resources more efficiently.

RFID in hospitals also has a transformative effect. This technology enables the tracking and management of medical devices, medication, and even patients. RFID tags on medication, for example, can ensure that the right drugs are administered to the right patients at the right time, drastically reducing medication errors. RFID also facilitates the tracking of surgical instruments and other medical devices, preventing the loss of such expensive equipment and optimizing sterilization processes.

In summary, IoT and RFID in hospitals help to increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve the quality of patient care. The integration of AI and machine learning, during surgery for example, further enhances these benefits as the data generated by IoT and RFID can be transformed into valuable insights. This leads to an overall smarter and more responsive healthcare infrastructure that can better meet the needs of patients.

The potential of IoT in the healthcare industry, especially in the hospital environment, is immense. Starting with the labeling, identification, traceability, and localization of medical devices in real time, the management of hospital laundry, instruments, or assets, through to applications that take effect in the direct environment of patients or nursing staff. This area primarily concerns the entire infrastructure and the buildings in which healthcare services are provided. The operating theater is full of demanding application areas. This includes the sterilization of instruments, the integration of imaging devices, and surgical robots. All areas of application that are not directly related to patient data are easier to implement for data protection reasons. Application areas such as asset management, facility management, device and equipment control, access control, and authentication are therefore more common in the healthcare industry than solutions that directly affect patients and place very high demands on data protection.

Another field of application is the safe allocation and dosing of medication and the safeguarding of medication areas; Other applications include the temperature-controlled logistics of blood products or temperature-sensitive medication. The use of sensors in eyes, on implants, or in wound surfaces to monitor conditions such as the healing process is not yet a standard solution. Sensors can also be integrated into wearable devices. The aim is to continuously monitor vital parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, or body temperature. This data can be transmitted automatically and in real time to the hospital information system (HIS), for example. Innovative solutions in the healthcare industry can help to improve the quality of care and promote health.

In the previous sections, it became clear that the healthcare industry in particular, is facing major challenges in the area of digitalization and modernization. These include issues relating to the security of treatment processes, data security, privacy protection, and cybercrime. In addition, all processes in the healthcare industry are subject to high regulatory requirements when introducing new technologies, new pharmaceutical products, or integrating IoT devices. The concerns of employee representatives with regard to occupational health and safety must also be taken into account.

There may be resistance to change, especially if personal data or conclusions about individual employees are affected. As many health-promoting processes are carried out jointly with partners, the interoperability of the system and the IoT platform is also of great importance.

High investments in hardware, software, employee training, and the redesign of the infrastructure also slow down digitalization in the healthcare industry. For new hospital buildings, as some examples show, the integration of a wireless identification solution and a filing system can be planned from the very beginning. In this case, implementing the IoT solution is easier as the building infrastructure is already designed for it.