Why Every Healthcare Device Should be Connected to the Internet of Things (part 2) from Lantronix

This is part 2 of our series, click here to read part 1.

A UK-based based company has developed an IoT-enabled product that offers smart packaging, asset tracking, and counterfeit protection for medication. The device allows end-to-end asset tracking for prescription drugs and provides anti-tampering measures en route from the manufacturer to the patient. 

Once the seal is disturbed, the information is relayed electronically in real-time to the cloud management system and the proper checks and balances are put into play. Think about the benefits this offers the manufacturer: reputational risks mitigated and the cost savings reaped of having averted lawsuits. More importantly, however, is the potential life saving benefits this provides patients by receiving the medication they were prescribed – and ensuring the authenticity, quality and appropriate dosage.

Although many healthcare companies can imagine the benefits of having an IoT-enabled product, some have stalled on implementing a strategy for various reasons. Chief among them is the seemingly daunting complexity of IoT-enablement. 

The UK company overcame this hurdle by practicing proper planning and first listing the requirements they needed from an IoT solution before researching potential partners:

Security – Given the confidential nature of healthcare information, it was required that an IoT-enabled Wi-Fi solution have exceptionally robust encryption, ensuring no one is able to decipher the protocol.

Flexibility – The technology needed to be flexible for commissioning over-the-air updates securely. 

Simple to Deploy – In order to speed time-to-market the solution needed to be a cost-effective plug-n-play IoT-enabled Wi-Fi solution.

Easy to Use – The fact that patients and their caregivers would be using the device meant it had to be very easy to use.

Once they determined their requirements, they were then in a position to proceed with procuring the best IoT solution. After researching several providers and their IoT offerings, they ultimately selected the Lantronix xPico Wi-Fi for its simplified implementation, secure Wi-Fi connectivity, and ease of use.

The possibilities of IoT in the healthcare industry appear to be many – from tying existing medical devices into a common, secure network to improving safety and monitoring issues, like pharmaceutical tampering.  Above is just an example of how IoT-enablement is providing cost saving benefits by ensuring the right medication is getting delivered to the hands of those that need it.

Healthcare companies at the doorstep of developing an IoT-enabled device need to keep in mind that proper planning and due diligence, especially choosing an IoT solutions partner that not only meets the specification but more importantly, simplifies implementation – are critical for a successful launch.

For additional Lantronix product information or technical support, contact Symmetry Electronics, an authorized distributor of industry leading wireless, audio/video and embedded chips, modules and dev/eval tools. www.symmetryelectronics.com/contact-us or call (877) 466-9722.