In a significant advancement for aged care, a new AI-powered tool developed by Telstra Health in collaboration with RMIT University is set to revolutionize how health risks are monitored in care facilities. This innovative technology aims to predict potential health issues such as falls, depression, and mortality, thereby enhancing the quality of care for elderly residents.
As of June 30, 2023, nearly half a million older Australians depend on aged care services, placing immense pressure on the sector to deliver high-quality support. The partnership among Telstra Health, RMIT University, and the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre has led to the creation of this predictive tool, which is designed to improve health outcomes in aged care settings.
Key Features of the AI Tool
Dr. Tabinda Sarwar, the project lead and data scientist at RMIT University, emphasizes the importance of this tool in alleviating the workload of nursing staff. “The tool automatically monitors both structured and unstructured electronic patient records, examining 36 evidence-based indicators of deterioration,” she explains. “These indicators assist in predicting various health risks, ultimately supporting nursing staff and enhancing resident care.”
Nursing staff in aged care facilities often face overwhelming responsibilities, from daily caregiving to health monitoring. The introduction of this digital health tool aims to alleviate some of that burden by forecasting adverse health events before they occur, marking a significant shift in how care is delivered.
Award-Winning Innovation
This tool, which recently received the 2024 Research Australia’s Digital & Data Health Innovation Award, analyzes daily operational data, including health-related notes and records. By utilizing advanced natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning techniques, it generates alerts for potential health risks.
“By applying sophisticated data analysis to information collected daily, we can predict signs of deterioration, allowing care teams to respond effectively,” Dr. Sarwar notes. This includes identifying risks such as falls and depression based on data from geriatric assessments and progress notes.
Collaboration and Implementation
The project capitalized on Telstra Health’s Clinical Manager system, which is already in use at over 360 facilities across Australia, ensuring a broad implementation potential. The collaboration involved insights from nursing staff and the support of the Digital Health CRC, effectively bridging the gap between academic research and practical application.
Creating a universal tool that addresses the diverse challenges faced by nursing staff was a crucial objective. “We aimed to design a solution that could significantly impact a larger population,” Dr. Sarwar explains.
Future Prospects
To confirm the tool’s usability, the development team conducted independent studies employing statistical and machine learning techniques to validate its performance and clinical viability. Currently, Telstra Health is rolling out the tool, with several aged care homes expressing interest in its adoption.
While the tool shows promise for expansion into other healthcare settings, including hospitals, its future development will depend on the strategic decisions made by Telstra Health. Dr. Sarwar underscores the broader implications of this AI-driven solution, hinting at its potential to transform healthcare outcomes for vulnerable populations.
