Doylestown Health uses technology to improve observation rates

Doylestown (Pa.) Health is using artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic technology to improve medical utilization management. Payers require hospitals to assign a patient to the less-costly observation status or inpatient status based on the severity of a patient’s condition. Doylestown Health started using an AI algorithm to allot a severity score to each patient and surmise which patients under observation are likely to switch to inpatient status. Since implementing the system six months ago, the hospital has increased accurate placement, with observation rates improving by 20% and observation to inpatient conversion rates by 37%, according to the hospital. The technology constantly reviews charts, which enables nurses to take into account the effects of multiple diagnoses on patient status. The technology enables nurses “to use their clinical skills,” said Mary Beth Mitchell, MSN, RN, senior executive director of care transformation strategies at Doylestown Health. “It’s more fulfilling to do their job.” (HealthLeadersMedia article, 7/27/22)