Cardinal Health, a pharmaceutical and medical product manufactuer, is using an artificial intelligence tool coupled with a follow-up program to help keep patients with cancer out of the emergency department.
The study, published in Journal of Clinical Oncology: Oncology Practice, found the AI tool could identify patients with critical clinical issues. The tool was implemented at The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Fort Worth, Texas. Nurse follow up reduced acute care use as a result. The program reduced monthly emergency department visits by 18 percent.
The practice could save hospitals $2.8 million annually, according to a company news release.