A medical IoT platform is a software application that is used to support the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). It acts as a host for the software-based functions of connected health devices, allowing the user to perform certain functions and send, receive, and manipulate health data on an ongoing basis. Without this technology, many use cases of IoT in healthcare would not be possible. These platforms may also be referred to as:

Healthcare IoT platforms.
Connected health platforms.
Medical device connectivity solutions.

Why Use Medical IoT Platforms?

The rise of digital health has also prompted the movement of Internet of “medical” Things. Every healthcare IoT platform provides baseline levels of storage, security, and computing power. Most will also include a set of pre-built applications that can be brought online almost immediately. These resources help research organizations and medical devices manufacturers implement IoT technology in healthcare quickly, easily, and with minimal IT investment.

In other words, connected health platforms provide pre-made IoMT infrastructure for organizations with no existing medical IoT solutions. This makes this technology more accessible to a wider range of healthcare organizations both big and small.

Platform Functions

Connected health device platforms can do different things depending on the applications that healthcare providers and manufacturers choose to use. Some of the functions these platforms typically perform include:

Tracking and maintaining an inventory of connected medical devices that have been paired with it.
Automating the process of collecting certain types of patient health data (for example, drawing periodic readings from an implantable heart monitor).
Automating billing and reimbursement procedures.
Facilitating communication between patients and care providers.
Supporting the development and implementation of new applications.
Managing and analyzing patients’ health data to make meaningful conclusions that drive treatment decisions.
Integrating incoming data into other applications as needed, including electronic health records (EHRs).
Storing patient health data securely on the cloud.

Differentiating Factors

Not all connected health platforms are equal in terms of features and capabilities. They typically diverge in the following four areas.

Security

The level of security a platform offers is often the number-one concern of healthcare organizations. The best connected health platforms not only offer a robust range of security features from the outset (user authentication, encryption, firewalls, suspicious activity alerts, etc.) but also support the adoption of additional security measures in the future.

Integration

Healthcare organizations frequently need to export health data to different software solutions to provide optimal patient care. Platforms that integrate easily with external software applications offer additional convenience and utility for the buyer and allow them to explore new ways of providing better patient care.

Scalability

A good medical IoT platform can grow alongside the healthcare organizations who use it. They should be able to scale all aspects of their medical IoT program in conjunction with their requirements, including the size of the device network, the number of applications being supported, the number and type of security measures at work, and other functions.

Compatibility

A healthcare IoT platform should accommodate as many types of medical IoT devices as possible, including Bluetooth, WiFi, and Ethernet-connected devices. This gives healthcare organizations the flexibility to use whichever connected medical devices are best suited to their needs and to modify or expand this lineup as those needs change.