Edge computing has been one of the key digital transformations in recent
years and it’s taking medicine in a new direction. The most
forward-thinking organisations are adopting edge computing to help better
analyse and collect data, and to improve the accuracy and speed of
diagnoses.
Faster technologies like
artificial intelligence and 5G
are paving the way for edge computing systems to drive healthcare forward.
Edge computing simplifies and automates data collection, and there’s a
range of benefits for medical devices and the health care environment.
Below, we discuss in more detail how edge computing is playing an integral
role in medical treatments.
What is edge computing?
As digital technology has become more advanced, we’ve moved into the era of
cloud computing. A large percentage of all companies now rely on cloud
computing to access their platforms and applications. Cloud computing is
fully established and an accepted approach for managing data – but “edge”
is now on the rise. While edge computing isn’t exactly new, there’s been an
increasing demand for edge computing in the past few years.
Edge computing
is a form of computing that supports new applications near the source of
the data, unlike the “cloud”, which relies on dozens of network centres to
process data. With edge computing, organisations can reduce the need for
large amounts of data between devices, applications and services, ensuring
improved latency. All of this has major benefits for the healthcare and
medical sectors.
Transforming healthcare
There’s huge potential for edge computing to
drive advancements in medicine
and create a truly interconnected healthcare system. While large-scale
adoption of edge computing is years away, it’s already having an impact on
healthcare. For example, many hospitals and healthcare institutions are
using edge computing remote devices to quickly gather and analyse patient
data.
This data can then be used for ultra-fast and more accurate diagnoses,
quickly alerting doctors about any problems. Therefore, edge computing can
enable real-time management
of medical devices and automate the delivery of medicine. It’s the
combination of IoT and edge computing applications that provide quality
healthcare, overcoming connectivity issues that traditional databases often
face. As a result, edge computing will create a more streamlined experience
for patients and clinicians.
Data management and security
The rise of remote monitoring and IoT devices have led to an increase in
data security threats. Healthcare data, in particular, is a prime target
for cybercriminals due to the highly sensitive information. So, the massive
amounts of data being produced by IoT devices present a major challenge for
healthcare facilities.
However, edge computing can improve the security and protection of
patient data
. For example, there’s always been a challenge of transmitting data across
countries due to the long distances. Edge computing minimizes transition
time and ensures lower latency on a strong network. Reducing the distance
of data transmission can lower the chances for cybercriminals to intercept
it. Therefore, edge computing can pave way for the highest levels of
medical security and regularity compliance.
Supply chain
Edge computing is also having a major impact on the medical supply chain.
Having
real-time data
and analytics means organisations can optimise the supply chain and improve
its effectiveness. For example, edge computing applications and IoT devices
have the potential to redefine the way facilities manage their devices.
Using predictive analytics and big data can enable healthcare facilities
and determine when problems are likely to occur in the hardware. The
ability to track and monitor medical devices across the supply chain can
give medical institutions a competitive advantage, as well as save costs.
The healthcare industry can benefit massively from edge computing and it’s
most certainly pushing the boundaries of medicine.
Are you looking to move your career forward in healthcare?
IQVIA provides information, services, and technology for companies in the
healthcare sector. We’re a world leader in data and analytics to help our
customers move forward and make better decisions. We believe in a healthier
world and as the healthcare world continues to evolve, our team is always
looking for new opportunities to improve the patient experience and help
transform the healthcare system for the better.
Take a look at our
medical sales jobs
, connect with us today, and keep reading our blog for more interesting
articles and insights.
