The more a doctor knows about a patient’s condition—heart rate, blood pressure, weight, blood sugar, activity levels, or medication compliance—the better she or he can deliver the right care at the right time. The Internet of Medical Things is making this exchange of information easier than it’s ever been, giving doctors access to patients’ biometric and physiologic data through a growing network of connected medical devices, apps, and sensors. What’s more, research has shown that near-real-time, informed care has already enhanced outcomes and reduced costs by as much as 51 percent.
Powering the Internet of Medical Things is a major focus for Qualcomm Life and its industry-leading ecosystem members at CES 2016, as they collaborate to actualize this digital ecosystem of connected and diverse medical things. The goal is to optimize care pathways and deliver the right care, at the right time, to the right location.
At the same time, Qualcomm Life is enabling manufacturers to add connectivity to devices and sensors targeted at specific health conditions. The just-announced next-generation connected Novartis Breezhaler, the inhaler for its chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) portfolio, will be powered by a small, low-power, disposable module that Qualcomm Life designed. The module is designed to seamlessly connect with Qualcomm Life’s 2net Platform, and can detect and report inhaler usage as well as the duration of the patient’s inhalation, which indicates the quality of the inhalation. With this near-real-time data capture from the patient and the connected device, Novartis aims to improve medication adherence and, ultimately, health outcomes for COPD patients.
On a day-to-day level, connected technologies are also helping users access the health and wellness information they need the moment they need it. First Response has unveiled the world’s first Bluetooth Smart–enabled home pregnancy test. The test, which will go on sale in major retailers this year, connects with a smartphone app that guides users through the testing process and offers action plans based on the results.
These devices join an already-thriving ecosystem of connected health technologies that are powered by Qualcomm Life.
Hungry for more tech news? Find out all about Qualcomm at CES 2016.
2net is a product of Qualcomm Life, Inc.
