Intermountain Health has developed an FHIR-based platform for clinical decision support that enables providers to use evidence-based medicine, algorithms, and artificial intelligence (AI) apps. The revised ePneumonia app has demonstrated a 36% relative decrease in 30-day mortality for pneumonia patients, and the platform enables physicians to securely read and write directly to the EHR in real time. The platform will be implemented throughout all Intermountain Health hospitals and urgent care centers in seven states, and it will enhance the delivery of value-based care by enhancing patient safety, healthcare quality, and financial efficiency.
Intermountain Health has developed and deployed an FHIR-based platform to support clinical decision-making with evidence-based medicine, algorithms, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The platform allows clinicians to read and write directly to electronic health records (EHR) in real time and can be utilized across major EHR vendors. The platform has been developed to enhance patient care, which is often complex and personal. Providers are empowered with an additional tool to ensure the right decision is made at the right time, improving individualized care. Intermountain Health is utilizing the platform for an updated version of its ePneumonia app, which has shown positive results in previous studies. The app aims to aid emergency department clinicians in diagnosing and treating pneumonia patients at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah. The studies showed a 36% relative decrease in 30-day mortality for pneumonia patients and more than 100 lives saved annually. The platform will be rolled out to all Intermountain Health hospitals or urgent care facilities in seven states, enabling them to access the platform and future apps.
Craig Richardville, the Chief Digital and Information Officer at Intermountain Health, stated that the new approach to using data builds on the strong culture of innovation at Intermountain Health. Richardville highlighted that the FHIR-based platform empowers providers to give individualized care and helps ensure the right decision is being made at the right time. Nathan Dean, MD, Section Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Intermountain Medical Center, stated that the ePneumonia app has helped improve patient care. The app has demonstrated a 36% relative decrease in 30-day mortality for pneumonia patients, and there has been an increase in outpatient disposition from the emergency department and increased use of antibiotic best practices. Dean added that the app aims to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia patients at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah.
Intermountain Health also has other clinical decision support (CDS) applications focused on medical specialties and diagnoses that will be run on the FHIR-based platform. The platform allows clinicians to securely read and write directly to the EHR in real time. The platform can perform complex clinical processes and enable more rapid development of clinical and business workflows. Kathryn Kuttler, Ph.D., FAMIA, the Advanced Decision Support Director at Intermountain Health, stated that this would help create a more seamless experience for patients. The FHIR-based platform will help advance value-based care delivery, according to Diego Ize-Ludlow, MD, the Chief Health Information Officer at Intermountain Health. The platform aligns with what Intermountain Health is doing in value-based care to diagnose people earlier, improve patient safety and quality of care, and reduce healthcare costs.
