Smartphone Innovation
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Pacemakers and other implanted heart devices that connect to a patient’s mobile device are among the most impressive “breakthrough” healthcare technologies for 2022. Typically, remote monitoring requires patients to connect to a home-based monitor, usually at their bedside, to transmit data from their implanted heart device to their doctor or clinic.
Today, smartphone-connected devices can automatically send data from anywhere, using an app, as long as there is signal or internet connection. Smartphone-connected pacemaker devices are rated number three on its annual Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2021 list. “These connected devices allow patients greater insight into the health data from the pacemakers and transmit the health information to their physicians.”
Evidence is showing that such connectivity can save lives. For example, there was a patient feeling dizzy at home while gardening. When he sat in his living room after to rest he received a call from his clinic. His implanted device had alerted his medical providers to a problem and they made immediate plans to correct the issue. With the traditional system, such an issue would have required him to be near his bedside monitor and was likely to delay the problem.
The smartphone connectivity made all the difference.
The global pandemic has made this innovation even more helpful and successful. It allows clinicians to check patients’ conditions without in-person visits. This helped the risk of covid transmission and helps preserve the personal protective equipment of patients. Although the pandemic had many cons in the medical industry, this definitely boosted the success of smartphone pacemakers.
Medtronic has a wide range of heart devices – including insertable heart monitors, pacemakers, implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs), cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds), and cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers (CRT-Ps) – that all use the MyCareLink Heart app.
At IELTS Medical, we are implementing VR into training our doctors and nurses from around the world. This is still in the development process but it will soon be implemented. The medical industry needs innovation and we recognise that. We provide the best possible training and experience to work in the medical industry in the UK. If you would like to see more study tips, news and innovations keep an eye out for our latest blog. Book an OSCE course with us: call us on 02036376722 or if outside the UK +442036376722
