Can IoT Transform Patient Care in Hospitals?

By Nick Booth, freelance technology writer.

IoT promises transformative benefits for healthcare, but rapid deployment can create new risks if not guided by industry expertise. Process‑automation firm Thoughtonomy cautions that rushed application development often accelerates problems rather than solving them.

Automation as a Problem Accelerator

Thoughtonomy’s Chief Technology Officer, Danny Major, argues that hastily built IoT solutions frequently lack critical elements such as standard compliance, accreditation, and rigorous verification. This oversight can compromise both patient safety and operational reliability.

Insights from Croydon University Hospital

After ten days observing patient flows at Croydon University Hospital—a microcosm of the National Health Service (NHS)—I identified several pain points that IoT could address:

• Patients are often positioned under harsh lighting, extreme temperatures, and loud monitoring alarms, creating sensory overload.
• Staff shortages mean nurses cannot constantly monitor each bed for environmental conditions.
• Uncontrolled visitor behavior and other patients can disrupt care, as observed with a patient demanding unsanctioned medication.

Patient‑Safety & Security Solutions

While invasive deterrents are unacceptable, non‑intrusive technologies can enhance safety. For example, Cloudview CEO James Wickes proposes CCTV combined with AI analytics to detect unauthorized movements and trigger alarms. “Analytics, coupled with AI components, can protect vulnerable members of society,” he says.

Managing Unruly Room‑Mates

In high‑risk wards, cameras can identify self‑harm or suicidal behavior, enabling rapid intervention. With appropriate consent, these systems can also monitor disruptive patients and alert staff before escalation.

Protecting Vulnerable Patients

Facial recognition and RFID tags can help identify unknown visitors in homes of dementia patients and the elderly. These technologies can record activity, flag inactivity periods, and send alerts to caregivers or authorities if a patient becomes lost.

Asset Tracking: From Wheelchairs to Trolleys

Hospital staff often struggle to locate wheelchairs or trolleys when they are urgently needed. RFID tagging and location‑finding apps can track these assets in real time, reducing search times and preventing loss or misuse. Cloudview’s system already supports similar functionality in bike‑share programs.

By leveraging IoT for real‑time monitoring, predictive analytics, and asset management, hospitals can reduce environmental hazards, streamline workflows, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Author: Nick Booth, freelance technology writer