⚕️AI Lifespan Predictor

Plus: 3 Applications Of NLP in EHR and more.

January 10, 2024

Good morning.

We are back with our midweek dose of advancements and game-changing news from the HealthTech sphere, specially curated for you. Here’s what we are covering in today’s newsletter.

  • 3 Game Changing Applications of NLP in EHRs

  • Data for Prognostication: AI Lifespan Predictor

  • Deep Dive: What is Clinical Informatics

ANALYSIS
3 Game Changing Applications of NLP in EHRs

Natural language processing is one of the crucial technologies that can help to reduce physician burnout rate through text summarization and categorization.

It converts unstructured data from the EHR into structured format to derive insights for the physicians.

Here are 3 compelling ways through which physicians use NLP in EHR:

  • For healthcare decision-making

  • For converting unstructured data

  • For clinical documentation

Click here to read the real life use cases of NLP in EHR.

TOP STORY
AI Lifespan Predictor

Using data for prognostication: Researchers have created an artificial intelligence model they say can accurately predict a person's lifespan. 

Scientists at Boston-based Northeastern University joined researchers from Denmark in developing the Life2vec, an experimental AI system that uses a large language model to scan massive amounts of people's data to identify patterns of a person’s life, including when they are likely to die, with disquieting accuracy. 

The tool predicted which of 100,000 Danish citizens between the ages of 35 and 65 had lived and died with 78% accuracy. 

That’s not all, when tested for extroversion and likelihood of emigration, the model was able to accurately predict the outcomes 73% of the time. 

Myriad of potential applications: Since the AI is built with detailed information on millions of people, researchers could use its mortality estimates to figure out the best behaviors for good health. For instance, they could single out all the 40-year-olds who died early, and ask the system about what they had in common.

Can I sign up for the AI Oracle? You’ll likely have to wait a while since a similar large language model for predictions about US citizens will have to be trained on data collected from US residents. 

While the tool is "strictly in the lab for now," the researchers say it could one day be used in the U.S. to figure out the best health behaviors for Americans based on their demographics, personalities and social activities.

DEEP DIVE
What is Clinical Informatics?

Clinical informatics, at the nexus of healthcare, IT, and data science, applies technology to enhance management and delivery of healthcare services. Here are the key components:

  • Health Information Systems: Designs, implements, and optimizes systems like EHRs and clinical decision support tools for streamlined healthcare delivery.

  • Data Interoperability: Ensures seamless health information exchange, fostering collaboration among providers and ensuring care continuity.

  • Technology Integration: Effectively integrates technology to support clinical processes, decision-making, and communication among healthcare professionals.

  • Data Analytics and AI: Utilizes analytics and AI to extract insights from healthcare data, contributing to research, population health management, and personalized medicine.

Read more about biomedical and health informatics here.

SNIPPETS
What else is making news

  • Hartford Healthcare, in partnership with OnMed, launched a new form of healthcare delivery. The OnMed care station simulates a private physician's office, where patients are connected to clinical professionals for virtual healthcare visits for many common illnesses.Patients can use the Stop & Shop pharmacy for access to medications prescribed during their visit.

  • The Biden administration is looking to strengthen healthcare cybersecurity and is planning to unveil new federal cybersecurity requirements for hospitals. CMS will require hospitals to implement basic digital security defenses in order to receive federal funding. These requirements include using multifactor authentication and having a program dedicated to fixing software vulnerabilities.

  • Uber Health is partnering with Socially Determined to alleviate common, access-related healthcare struggles.Using Uber Health's access to transportation and delivery services and Socially Determined's insight into patient care needs, providers can orchestrate critical deliveries to vulnerable populations.