Paralysed people who can learn to walk again, thanks to technological support. Hospitalized children that don’t have to miss class nor their classmates, thanks to a robot. "This is only a small part of the things we do in hospitals", Reinier de Boer, account manager corporate Healthcare & Insurances at VodafoneZiggo, explains. "Fantastic solutions that already help a great many people. But, our technological assistance outside the hospital makes adequate care on a daily basis feasible for even more people."
Portable care
Care by means of virtual tools outside the hospital comes in many forms. Take a senior citizen, for example, whose bracelet immediately alerts the emergency services should this happen. Or the patient whose breathing, blood levels and blood pressure is simply monitored at home. By a small device he can wear at his belt. Two random examples of so-called wearables; portable devices that are wirelessly connected to the internet. Reinier: "More and more smart applications are connected because of our stable connections. Together we call it the Internetof Things (IoT). This makes remote care possible. A wonderful development as more and more people prefer to stay in their own home as long as possible. It provides peace of mind, because there is a virtual finger on the pulse."
Affordable care
IoT applications in healthcare not only provide peace of mind to patients but also free up timefor caretakers. Because of remote monitoring like the above-mentioned device measuring breathing, blood levels and blood pressure, caretakers are able to visit patients less frequently.They can use tablets not only for monitoring, but also for remote consultations. And there are other ways in which technology and stable connections help to keep healthcare affordable. Reinier: "By special media packages for television, internet and calling for clients in health care institutions, for example. By arranging that directly with the patient, the institution’s administrative burden is reduced and the patient empowered."
Visible care
Smart technology in healthcare has another important advantage: increased visibility for people in need of a little extra help. "Certain applications at home can help them regain control of their life", Reinier explains. "A front door with smart locks, for example, can be opened remotely by someone who has difficulty walking. And a wearable can give a person the confidence to leave the house, knowing that help is nearby should something happen. When necessary, technology can also bring the outside world inside the home. Virtual homecare, for example, connects people through an app. Informal carers, professionals and patients. The app ensures everyone is kept up-to-date of appointments and arrangements, but video calling is also possible. For a consultation or just a chat. In this way, our smart technology contributes to genuine care in all its varieties. Full of new possibilities, but most of all full of attention."
Read more about IoT: https://iot.vodafone.nl/internet-of-things