Facilities management
Facilities management and increasing IoT investment On behalf of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM), Preston Gan asks whether the current state of facilities management in the NHS is ready for the investment of IoT, Big Data and AI
Whether as a patient or as an individual helping our loved ones, families and friends, most of our real-life experience with the current use of technology and information systems used in health and care is not always as positive. As an example, the lack of information about a person residing in a particular region or area is not available because their records are stored somewhere else in the country. Or a person with multiple complex problems often has to repeat the same information many times to different people, as every organisation and professional works with a different system, and a different record. Or, elsewhere, existing systems having multiple logins often creating frustration for staff to do their jobs, leaving people confused and disappointed. Digital technology should be one of the key enablers, rather than a barrier, to delivering excellent care. The role of technology today has fundamentally changed the way we live and manage our daily lives. Increased technological advances has provided us with greater choices and more control than ever before; whether from how we communicate with each other, the way we travel, shop
To gain a basic understanding of the three elements, IoT is the idea of connecting any physical devices or objects to the internet and to other connected devices. This could mean an extraordinary number of ‘things’ of all shapes and sizes that allow us to connect, collect critical data, analyse and then react to data based on real-time information to enhance performance and prevent losses - most without any type of human input. To explain the relationship between IoT, Big Data and AI, these connected devices trigger a massive inflow of the different types of ‘Big Data’. Three classifications of data are normally associated with Big Data. Structured data, often categorised as quantitative data, is what most of us are used to working with, data that fits neatly into fixed fields and columns such as databases, spreadsheets CRM or ERP systems, that is often the easiest to search and organise. A much bigger percentage of all data in our world is unstructured data. Unstructured data that is Is facilit ies most often categorised as manag e qualitative data, which m e nt in the NH cannot be processed S r e the inve ady for and analysed using conventional such as IoT, Big stment of text, audio, video, photos, D a AI in its ta and social media content, and and pay for things, the curr satellite imagery, which way we bank, how we state? ent is difficult to deconstruct. manage our well-being The third classification of ‘on the move’ to how data beyond structured and healthcare is delivered and unstructured is semi-structured how we access healthcare services. data which is a mix of both that contains There is certainly recognition that digital metadata, making it easier to organise. But technology is critical to transforming health there is still flexibility in the data such as and social care services so that care can email messages or a digital photograph. become more person-centred, creating There is no doubt that it will be immensely a positive impact on patient outcomes difficult to comprehend the vast amount and patients can be more empowered to of unstructured data gathered from the participate more fully in their own care. millions of sensors via IoT devices and the complexity to process on a real time basis. Relationship between IoT, Big However, once the raw input is cleaned, Data and artificial intelligence structured and integrated well enough to The growth and the convergence of the become useful, artificial intelligence will use ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) with ‘Big Data’ that processed data to build its intelligence and artificial intelligence has opened with the necessary learning algorithms to up a world of possibilities in medicine produce your desired output. In essence, you that will help healthcare professionals can say that IoT is the senses, Big Data is the realise the anticipated benefits that fuel and artificial intelligence is the brain to enhances the workplace to manage and realise the future of a smart connected world. alleviate the clinical burnout that affects As an example for patients, devices in the a significant proportion of clinicians, form of wearables, like fitness bands and allowing them to focus on the core other wirelessly connected devices like blood tasks, giving them more time to care for pressure and heart rate monitoring cuffs, E patients and improve clinical outcomes. Issue 20.1 | HEALTH BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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