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

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.