Connected healthcare device company OnKol's mHealth solution is using Gemalto’s IoT connectivity technology through a wireless module.
The smart hub connects the elderly and those with special needs to their family and caregivers, allowing them to live in their own home independently.
The OnKol hub 'removes barriers' to technology adoption and encourages engagement without intimidation, according to its press release.
Straight out of the box, it can notify family members, caregivers, and even medical professionals of everything from vital signs to medication reminders to emergency response situations.
Equipped with Gemalto's M2M module, the above remote patient monitoring services are securely managed over-the-air to simplify deployment, personalization and software updates.
The patient can connect health and home monitoring devices, like blood pressure cuffs, heart-monitors, and smoke detectors, and Gemalto's module encrypts and sends the gathered information to the OnKol platform where it is delivered to caregivers and can even be logged into the patients' electronic medical records.
OnKol CEO Erich Jacobs said Gemalto's technology allowed OnKol to deliver a hub that is effortless to set up, use, and scale to support OnKol business growth in the future.
"We were able to work with OnKol to create an innovative product that has not yet been seen in the market and is customized to its end user's specific needs,” commented Rodrigo Serna, Gemalto’s SVP for mobile and IoT services in the Americas.
“By enabling simple and reliable communication, Gemalto and OnKol are helping older individuals to maintain their independence and create peace of mind for their caregivers.”
With the population of older individuals due to double in size by 2030 and the ratio of potential caregivers to decrease by over 50%, new technology must rise to meet the need for quality care, according to OnKol. However, adoption rates amongst elderly patients have been low as current mHealth options are often too complicated, it claims.
First published in Healthcare Innovation