A lot can happen to patients between provider visits, especially for high-risk patients with chronic medical conditions. With a nationwide shortage of providers, it seems unrealistic to have humans triage patients and prioritize those most at risk for the next 24-48 hours.
The current patient portal offers a response option where patients can contact their primary care or specialist if adverse issues arise between visits. The resulting Q and A formats for transactions between patients and providers provide some communication. However, this approach does not include real-time daily updates on a person’s condition, which is especially important for high-risk patients.
Healthtech company WellSky is looking to address this gap in care and go a step further by using predictive AI technology to improve outcomes.
Overland Park, Kansas in late February WellSky Acquired TapCloud, a virtual engagement technology company that connects patients and providers in real-time to address care needs between visits. TapCloud’s technology has nothing to do with EHR. WellSky intends to leverage TapCloud’s AI technology and enhance it with WellSky’s predictive AI technology.
Chicago-based TapCloud has artificial intelligence technology that lets patients input their symptoms. The text appears on the phone screen, and the patient simply taps the text to enter their current status. Using an app for a phone, tablet, or computer, patients may see words such as “night sweats,” “stomach upset,” or “swollen hands” as examples of symptoms experienced. Patients can choose what best fits their physical symptoms, as well as terms like “weak,” “good day,” or “comfortable” that can express how they feel.
Therefore, providers can implement nursing interventions accordingly.
“Get daily updates from high-risk patients so providers can proactively respond to needs, transforming the partnership into an ongoing and effective communication—improving patient outcomes, increasing satisfaction, and extending provider care management beyond traditional access,” said Bill Miller, WellSky’s CEO, in an email. “TapCloud enables continuous communication between patients and their families and providers, and distills an extensive patient list into the key priorities of the day. The fluid exchange of actionable information that requires the least amount of time for patients and providers is missing in today’s healthcare of.”
But this partnership isn’t just trying to close gaps in care by increasing communication. According to Miller, the AI component will also improve overall care beyond what can be achieved by simply increasing patient/provider communication.
“TapCloud leverages AI to power its patented patient engagement platform, determining what to engage with patients. Over time, WellSky will leverage its team of data scientists and AI/ML experts to continuously add key capabilities to the TapCloud platform , the platform ‘learns’ symptom and health data from this first-of-its-kind combination of vendor-sourced EHR data and patient-sourced data,” explained Miller.
WellSky hopes the resulting real-time AI collaboration will reduce readmissions and improve outcomes. So the partnership should reduce overall costs, Miller assumes.
“TapCloud works tirelessly to close the communication gap between patients and providers through the use of data and technology. With WellSky, we have access to a larger network and increased investment that will expand our reach to more patients and Families are actively involved in their care journey,” said TapCloud CEO Phil Traylor Press Releases Announcing the acquisition. “No matter which EHR platform they use, we’re well-positioned to expand the way we help our clients succeed. I’m excited to see how we’ll innovate together.”
Photo: elenabs, Getty Images
