An Overview About Connected Medical Devices and Their Risks

Abstract

Connected medical devices may send and receive orders from other devices or networks, such as the internet. A connected medical device is often equipped with wireless connection, allowing it to interface with other devices or computers. Connected medical devices are becoming more popular in healthcare settings because they provide a variety of advantages, such as quicker patient monitoring and more efficient healthcare delivery. Connected medical devices may help doctors make educated treatment decisions, enhance patient outcomes, and lower costs. The usage of connected medical devices is especially beneficial for patients who reside in rural or distant locations, have mobility limitations that make traveling to a healthcare center difficult, or during the COVID-19 epidemic. Monitoring devices, infusion pumps, implanted devices, autoinjectors, and diagnostic devices are among the connected medical devices. Smartwatches or fitness trackers that monitor heart rate and activity levels, blood glucose meters that can upload data to a patient’s electronic medical record, and implanted devices that can be monitored remotely by healthcare practitioners are examples of connected medical devices too. Yet, connected medical devices also carry risks that might jeopardize patient privacy and the integrity of medical records.