This machine learning algorithm runs nightly and is linked to a smart texting application that goes out to patients every morning for 7 days following chemotherapy, asking about symptoms like diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, and pain. Patients reporting severe or worsening symptoms have the smart text escalated to the oncology clinic where they received chemotherapy. Initial analysis broken down by responders (those that opted in and answered the daily text messages) and non-responders (opted out or opted in but did not answer the texts) found that ED visits were 5.7% for responders compared to 6.7% for non-responders. Across the health system, about 30 responders are added daily to the program.
Guest:
Michelle Eichelmann
Executive Director, Oncology Services and Precision Medicine
Mercy, Mercy Oncology Services
Saint Louis, Missouri
"It's one thing to mine data out of our EMR, but to actually use it in a proactive approach to patients I think is very unique. That's the key behind this...not just data, but what do we do with the data?" —Michelle Eichelmann
Hear more about this innovation at the ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference, October 9-11, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Additional Resources:
Smart-Texting High-Risk Patients After Chemotherapy Reduces ED Visits – ACCCBUZZ Blog
Utilizing Technology to Identify Patient Co-Morbidities and Reduce Hospital and ED Admissions
