How would you feel if an algorithm could rate your chances of an adverse health outcome and point you in the right direction for medication, and lifestyle changes to prevent it?
Archimedes, Inc. has done just that, creating a clinically realistic, mathematical model of human physiology, the Archimedes Model, and now, a decision support tool called IndiGO.
For use by healthcare providers, and now patients, the tool uses advanced algorithms to analyze “person-specific health information and predict the risks of adverse health outcomes and point out the benefits of adherence to medication and lifestyle changes,” according to Bernie Monegain.
Since November, health centers in Oklahoma, Colorado and Minnesota have deployed IndiGO. Kaiser Permanente, which used IndiGO in a pilot study, plans to expand its use in Southern California, Monegain reported.
And soon, through new consumer apps, the capability will be put into the hands of patients.
Monegain noted that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and U.S. chief technology officer Todd Park, said Archimedes blogged that IndiGO gives "physicians the ability to create optimized care regimens for patients based on the most up-to-date research and information available.”
Monegain quoted Josh Adler, vice president of Archimedes and IndiGO business leader, as saying that IndiGO “drives better patient engagement and increases adherence, leading to improved outcomes and lower costs.”
Archimedes IndiGO was recently chosen as the risk assessment engine for the new $100,000 mobile app challenge sponsored by the Office of the National Coordinator, according to Kaiser Permanente, which uses the app.
As part of the HHS Million Hearts Risk Check Challenge, the ONC invited developers to create a mobile app that helps consumers take a heart-health risk assessment, find places to get checked, and use the results to work with their doctor to develop a plan for improving their heart health.
It’s all about having meaningful patient discussions at the point of care, Monegain again quoted Adler. And it’s just as much about reducing costs as educating patients, because when you know better, sometimes you do better.
Edited by
Braden Becker
