A recent report by Milliman has revealed promising results after testing modifications to Together Senior Health’s Dementia AlgoRithm, showing positive predictive value to enhance quality care. Together, a part of Linus Health, developed a cognitive-impairment identification algorithm to identify patients at risk for undiagnosed Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and cognitive decline using electronic health record data.
The new RADAR models, utilizing claims data, have shown significant improvements in predictive performance compared to mammography and colonoscopy algorithms. Dr. John Showalter, Chief Strategy Officer at Linus Health, emphasized that RADAR surpasses traditional screening methods in accuracy and cost-effectiveness, requiring no patient involvement or discomfort.
Milliman, an actuarial firm, assessed RADAR using administrative claims data to evaluate modifications and predictors. The new claims-based models could potentially drive proactive care and diagnoses, enhancing risk-adjustment results for quality care. Mike Butler, independent board director of Linus Health, highlighted the transformative impact of RADAR in rapidly identifying populations at risk for cognitive impairment.
While AI and machine learning are often seen as tools to replace manual tasks in healthcare, brain health technology companies like Linus view AI as a means to enable earlier detection and intervention for cognitive impairment. By combining clinical insights with AI analysis of cognitive test metrics and other health data, providers can gain new insights into patients’ brain health and tailor interventions accordingly.
Health systems and value-based care providers see the RADAR algorithm as a game-changer for targeting cognitive assessments to the right individuals and initiating preventive interventions for those at higher risk. Deborah Barnes, co-founder of Together, emphasized the importance of triaging patients for cognitive impairment screenings to prioritize preventive care.
In conclusion, the integration of AI technology like RADAR into healthcare practices holds great potential for improving early detection and intervention for cognitive impairment. As the healthcare industry continues to prioritize value-based care and patient outcomes, innovative tools like RADAR offer a promising solution for enhancing quality care for aging populations.
Andrea Fox, Senior Editor of Healthcare IT News, contributed to this article.
Email: afox@himss.org
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.
