How AI Is Making Healthcare Personal and Safer for Patients?
AI is revolutionizing healthcare, but its implementation is still in its early stages. While numerous AI solutions have been developed by startups and established companies, only a few have been successfully deployed. As Dr. John Halamka and Paul Cerrato from the Mayo Clinic state, “Deployment is King” for AI in healthcare.
For AI to work effectively in a health system, it must adhere to governance protocols, integrate seamlessly with IT systems, and gain the trust of clinicians and administrators who use it daily.
A Real-World Example: MedAware and Ballad Health
Ballad Health, a leading healthcare provider in the Appalachian Highlands, recently showcased a successful AI integration. For over a year, it has deployed MedAware’s AI-powered medication safety monitoring platform, embedding it within its Epic electronic medical record (EMR) system.
According to Gidi Stein, MedAware’s co-founder, the biggest challenge for AI startups is finding partners willing to navigate complex EMR integrations like Epic. However, the collaboration has paid off. MedAware helps pharmacists at Ballad Health detect patient-specific medication risks during hospital stays. This real-time system allows pharmacists to prioritize care and prevent adverse drug events efficiently.
Reducing Medication Errors
Medication errors contribute to over 250,000 deaths annually in the U.S., with prescription mistakes accounting for 70% of adverse drug events. Witnessing such errors firsthand inspired Stein to create MedAware.
Unlike traditional rule-based systems, which rely on general medication data, MedAware uses a data-driven approach. This method draws insights from financial systems that identify fraud by analyzing personal behavior rather than general anomalies.
Addressing “Alert Fatigue”
Existing drug safety systems often overwhelm healthcare professionals with false alarms, leading to “alert fatigue.” MedAware addresses this issue by:
- Reducing alerts by over 90%
- Improving the clinical accuracy of alerts
- Monitoring patient history, real-time conditions, and future risks.
This adaptable tool ensures that only meaningful alerts reach healthcare providers, enhancing decision-making and patient safety.
Proven Results: Predicting Opioid Use Disorder
MedAware’s capabilities were validated in a Harvard Medical School study involving 649,000 outpatient records. The platform identified patients at risk of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) with over 93% accuracy.
With opioid-related deaths exceeding 70,000 annually in the U.S., MedAware provides early warnings, helping physicians intervene before addiction progresses. It also serves as a population health tool, screening large groups to identify individuals needing further evaluation.
Expanding AI Applications: Smart Infusion Pumps
MedAware’s technology extends beyond EMR systems. Its collaboration with Baxter International highlights how AI can enhance smart infusion pumps. These pumps use Dose Error Reduction Systems (DERS) to prevent medication errors.
In a study analyzing 3.8 million infusions, MedAware’s algorithms identified 25% of outliers that DERS missed. This capability demonstrates how AI can dynamically improve infusion safety and maintain hospital drug libraries.
Key Takeaways
MedAware exemplifies three major trends in healthcare AI:
- Integration is critical: AI success depends on seamless integration with existing systems and workflows.
- Data-driven personalization: Modern AI shifts from rule-based systems to personalized, data-driven solutions.
- From mass services to customization: AI enables tailored care, focusing on individual patients’ needs.
As AI continues to evolve, solutions like MedAware pave the way for safer, more personalized healthcare systems.
Source: Using AI To Personalize Healthcare And Improve Patient Safety
