IoT in healthcare is heating up with 41% of Asia Pacific healthcare organisations planning to launch at least one IoT solution in the next two years as they seek reduced operational costs, improved efficiency and new revenue streams.

A new report from IDC shows 63% of healthcare organisations across Asia Pacific, excluding Japan, believe IoT will be strategic to their business in order to overcome disruptive changes in healthcare delivery, and that IoT will be a central theme for driving digital transformation.

The 2016 Global IoT Decision Maker Survey also highlights remote patient monitoring, resource utilisation and tracking as key priority areas.

Ashwin Moduga, IDC Asia/Pacific research manager health insights ApeJ, says the focus on mobility and analytics, coupled with the need for optimising resource distribution, especially in the urban setting are driving acceptance for IoT implementation at healthcare organisations.

“With the advent of digital disruptors in the form of virtual care, the traditional hospital system could face gradual revenue losses unless digital transformation is undertaken as a proactive measure for the next decade – and IoT is key to improve operational efficiency, clinical confidence and patient engagement for any large hospital,” Moduga says.

The Global IoT Decision Maker Survey shows healthcare organisations are looking to IoT implementations for reduced operational costs in the longer run, improved energy efficiency and a way to create new revenue stream.

IDC says decision influencers for IoT implementations in the healthcare sector are now evenly distributed between IT departments and the line of business.