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Employing the Power of AI and Interoperability to
Employing the Power of AI and Interoperability to Reduce Sepsis Mortality
By Dr. Penny Cooper, DHSc, Data Scientist at Augusta Health
Augusta Health is a community hospital nestled in Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley focused on improving the health and well-being of our community. The statewide sepsis mortality rate in Virginia is 12.7%, while at Augusta Health it is 4.76%. We have been able to achieve a significantly lower sepsis mortality rate by employing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and communication technology. So far, we have saved over 350 lives that could have been lost to sepsis.
Mortality from sepsis increases by as much as 8% for every hour that treatment is delayed. Our nurses are highly trained and are skilled at detecting early symptoms of sepsis based on standard indicators. They are also very busy. Aware of how many patients our nurses care for and the many tasks nurses juggle at once, our leadership team wanted to provide our nurses with additional support. Among the resources provided was a program to identify symptoms of sepsis sooner.
We formed a Sepsis Team and Taskforce in 2016 to take advantage of AI and communication capabilities and give our nurses an extra set of eyes to automatically review patient data and alert them as soon as a patient shows signs of being septic. Our goal was to detect and treat sepsis as early as possible and save lives.
Automated Process for Sepsis Risk Detection and Alerts
We began by using the four traditional criteria to identify sepsis – a temperature greater than 38°C, heart rate greater than 90, respiratory rate greater than 20, and an abnormal white blood cell count. In addition, we monitored mean arterial pressure and shock index. Our Sepsis Team and Taskforce then began a retrospective study of the data to determine which variables had the highest correlation to Sepsis.
We used the results of that study as a benchmark for developing an automated process that analyzes and compiles real-time data from medical systems each hour and assigns each patient a score.
If the score is above a specific threshold, a sepsis alert is sent automatically to team members caring for that patient. Team members receive the alert with contextual information on their mobile communication device, which might be a hands-free Vocera Badge or a smartphone running a Vocera app.
The automated process involves interoperability among three systems: • Our electronic medical record (EMR),
MEDITECH • Our predictive analytics tool, which scours critical data in a patient’s record • The Vocera clinical workflow and communication system
We considered other sepsis alert tools that flagged potential sepsis cases within patients’ EMRs. However, those tools provide clinicians with sepsis alert flags only when they open the patient’s medical record.
By contrast, the system we built alerts the care team immediately on their Vocera Badge or smartphone, without any manual intervention. Sepsis alerts are automatically sent to the right care team to initiate care quickly when early signs of infection are identified.
System interoperability has been key to ensuring the right data with situational information gets to the right clinicians at the right time. Upon receiving an alert, the assigned staff member immediately screens the patient for sepsis. If sepsis is identified, they begin early intervention.
Saving Time, Saving Lives
In the United States, more than 1.7 million people develop sepsis each year, and approximately 270,000 of them die. To decrease mortality rates and increase the likelihood of reversing the damaging outcomes of sepsis, early detection is critical. Hundreds of lives that could have been lost to sepsis have been saved because of our Early Sepsis Alert System; since April 2016, we have been able to save 355 lives.
The work done by our teams at Augusta Health to reduce mortality rates from sepsis has been a collaborative effort. Health Quality Innovators (HQI) named our hospital the Health Quality Innovator for Virginia in the category of Data-driven Care in 2018. U.S. News & World Report recognized Augusta Health as a Best Hospital in the Shenandoah Valley for 2019-20.
We are very proud of these honors and are happy to have the opportunity to share our work with other facilities around the state so more lives can be saved. SYSTEM INTEROPERABILITY HAS BEEN KEY TO ENSURING THE RIGHT DATA WITH SITUATIONAL INFORMATION GETS TO THE RIGHT CLINICIANS AT THE RIGHT TIME. UPON RECEIVING AN ALERT, THE ASSIGNED STAFF MEMBER IMMEDIATELY SCREENS THE PATIENT FOR SEPSIS. IF SEPSIS IS IDENTIFIED, THEY BEGIN EARLY INTERVENTION.
Message on International Women’s Day, 2021
Alisha Moopen
As we celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and admiration for all women out there who have been nothing less than warriors. Especially, in the past one year, from managing various roles, like being a mother, sister or a daughter to balancing jobs and careers while working from home, we have come a long way where women are no longer simply accepting roles assigned to them but are WE ARE AN INSPIRATION FOR ONE ANOTHER.
challenging the status-quo, getting their voices heard and bringing about changes that matter. The COVID – 19 pandemic has disrupted our routine and pushed us out of our comfort zones to do things that we probably did not expect. A lot of us have had to adapt to a new adjusted lifestyle juggling family and work within the four walls of our homes, to learning to use new technologies, to adjusting to situations beyond our expectations. However, this breaking out of the safe spaces leads to an environment of learning and this is the message I would like to communicate to you all. Ladies, do not ever think that you are not ready for a new challenge or there is something out there you cannot do. Instead, think of it in a way that you will soon be ready to take up new challenges and what is it that you can do to be more prepared. Gone are the days where we restricted ourselves within our comfort zones, it is time to move ahead and better ourselves everyday by fearlessly asking for help and support for our own growth and progress.
Lastly, I would once again like to thank each one of you for the tremendous roles that you fulfill. We are an inspiration for one another and together we all are an integral part of the growth and development of our society.
Abu Dhabi Airports launches rapid COVID-19 testing
Abu Dhabi Airports, in partnership with Pure Health and Tamouh Healthcare, has launched rapid free COVID-19 PCR testing for all arrivals, except those in transit, with results provided in around 90 minutes. The new state-of-the-art RT-PCR lab offers testing within Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to facilitate air travel procedures and support quarantine tracking procedures. Designed to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of travelers and staff at Abu Dhabi International Airport, the new Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing process is free for arriving passengers and offers results in approximately 90 minutes. The laboratory has the capacity to test more than 20,000 travelers and staff per day.
The establishment of the PCR testing laboratory falls in line with the directives and vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, to contain the spread of COVID-19 while continuing to deliver a smooth and seamless travel experience at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: "Through partnering with Pure Health and Tamouh Healthcare, Abu Dhabi International Airport is now able to offer travellers state-of-the-art rapid testing services delivered by a dedicated laboratory facility. The introduction of the RT-PCR COVID-19 testing is a milestone achievement in our ongoing efforts to facilitate the safe resumption of international air travel and support the recovery of the aviation industry."
Orange Business Services Flexible SD-WAN supports Getinge with increased agility to aid the health industry
Getinge, a leading global supplier of medical technology products and systems, chose Orange Business Services to deploy a software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN). The solution has supported the Sweden-based multinational’s network performance, while increasing security and supporting its cloud-first strategy.
The Orange Flexible SD-WAN solution connects more than 100 Getinge sites globally, simplifying the management and operation of its infrastructure. Additionally, the network provides flexibility, scalability and end-to-end visibility, improving both the user and customer experience.
Due to the global pandemic, Getinge has adapted parts of its production and support models related to the production of advanced ventilators and associated devices. Flexible SDWAN enabled the company to better support rapid changes in the marketplace and fully support its increasingly distributed workforce. Orange also provides cloud and internet security.
SD-WAN: an essential tool for a cloud-first strategy
A cloud-first strategy can impact the netHIGH-SPEED CONNECTIVITY ACCELERATES ITS DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION.
work. Flexible SD-WAN offers secure access to the cloud, enabling traffic to flow to the internet from the closest link. The Orange SD-WAN solution provides Getinge with efficient, secure and fully automated end-to-end network orchestration, from end-users to cloud-based applications at an attractive price-performance ratio.
“Flexible SD-WAN from Orange Business Services has helped us build a resilient, secure cloud-based infrastructure that lets us tackle moving business challenges in an unpredictable marketplace. Due to rapidly changing traffic patterns in the network, we needed a future-proof solution that enabled us to effectively support the healthcare industry with devices they are most in need – both during the current pandemic and beyond,” said Ludovic Batal, CIO, Getinge.
“Getinge is on a strong transformational path with its SD-WAN infrastructure. We are pleased that the company chose Orange as its partner on this exciting journey in moving its operations to the cloud. Providing efficient, flexible and secure networking services is key to this transformation,” says Fabrice de Windt, Senior Vice President, Europe, Orange Business Services.
Telehealth: the New Normal
As the healthcare system grapples with COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, telehealth has emerged as a convenient option to implement some of the most reputable healthcare institutions around the world. More patients and physicians have also started to adopt this platform and manage their time through virtual visits that limit health risks and exposure to frontliners. Although COVID-19 was the trigger that further accelerated the adoption of this platform, clinicians and patients are becoming increasingly comfortable with the ‘new normal’.
The American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), and as part of its commitment to the welfare of its community, has recently introduced the telehealth service by means of Video Visits through its MyChart app. The transformational tool creates a remote link between patients and their healthcare providers through a secure internet connection.
Today, telehealth has proven to be an effective and sustainable solution for precaution, prevention, and treatment to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, provide support for self-management especially in the cases of chronic diseases, and make healthcare accessible to people residing in rural areas or in other regions of the world, as well as busy individuals that benefit from Video Visits while at work. Its importance lies in leveraging existing telehealth tools to direct people to the right level of healthcare for their medical needs while keeping their safety in mind.
After its launch in the recent months at AUBMC, telehealth has seen a large uptake in interest at the Medical Center. Physicians and healthcare providers have been, since then, working relentlessly to ensure the continuation of this platform with a firm belief that it can improve convenience and access to care and lead to better patient outcomes and a more efficient healthcare system.
The implementation of AUBMC’s telehealth program offered great flexibility in terms of time and place by reducing unnecessary visits NOW, WITH TELEHEALTH, PATIENTS FROM ABROAD CAN EASILY ACCESS THEIR DOCTORS OR GET A SECOND OPINION BY A CLICK, AND THEY CAN REST EASY KNOWING THAT THEIR SESSION IS SECURE AND EFFECTIVE.
As our struggle to contain the spread of the coronavirus continues, TeleHealth is another attestation to AUBMC’s continuous efforts and commitment to providing its patients with the best available care despite all circumstances. The health and wellbeing of AUBMC’s community remain to be the Medical Center’s top priority.
to the Medical Center usually accompanied with waiting time in waiting areas, thus eliminating the need for travel or transportation. Having access to one’s doctor from the comfort of one’s home will also maintain privacy and ease while discussing sensitive health issues. The integration of telehealth into the MyChart app has allowed patients to schedule their appointments with their doctor in various specialties such as Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Pain Clinic, Surgery, Cardiology, Nephrology, Dermatology, and many others.
Another important aspect of telehealth is that it has proven its ability to provide the diaspora in general and AUB alumni community in particular, the advantage of staying in touch with their providers through Video Visits. Telehealth has bridged the gap between people, physicians and healthcare systems, enabling everyone, especially expat patients, to communicate with physicians through virtual channels, which helps them stay connected with the physicians they trust through video visits. Now, with Telehealth, patients from abroad can easily access their doctors or get a second opinion by a click, and they can rest easy knowing that their session is secure and effective.
