Case study: Improving multimorbidity acute care using data analytics
Overview
Lead organisation: University of Edinburgh
Funding source: Innovate UK
Partners: Health Innovation South East Scotland (HISES), South-East Scotland Innovation Hub, Red Star, the Data Lab
Safe Havens involved: DataLoch
Objectives
- Develop functionality enabling patient healthcare data from various sources to integrate into a single 'live system' that will process this information.
- Incorporate real-time multi-morbidity detection upon emergency department admission into the 'live system' along with risk assessment for their combined conditions.
- Assist Emergency Department healthcare providers in decision-making by consolidating datasets from across individual health records and presenting this information through an accessible visual dashboard.
The challenge
Extended lifespans mean more years living with multiple chronic conditions (multimorbidity), resulting in diminished quality of life with potential life expectancy implications. A major challenge for healthcare and social services is determining optimal support for individuals with multiple health issues.
This challenge is exemplified in determining appropriate treatment for patients with multiple conditions presenting to busy Emergency Departments. Another complication is polypharmacy – long-term use of various medications – which can create additional complications.
The solution
To create a service product capable of making a meaningful difference, it is essential to engage both the target users and the individuals interacting with the associated services. A key resource supporting this initiative was the DataLoch service, which:
- Supplied curated, combined data from both primary and secondary healthcare sources;
- Facilitated early-stage concept validation before full-scale implementation;
- Maintained strict confidentiality of patient information;
- Offered access to retrospective datasets, which were crucial for applying machine learning and analysing patient pathways.
As part of the process, stakeholders examined current experiences with the TrakCare system and then developed a prototype interface centred around clinicians’ needs. The long-term aim is to embed the finished tool directly into everyday clinical workflows.
Problems encountered
While the dashboard shows promise, there are still areas that require further development. Although it has been designed for use in the Emergency Department, there is potential for broader application across other NHS services, which warrants additional investigation.
The prototype relies heavily on coded data, and incorporating secure access to free-text information—such as hospital discharge notes—could greatly enrich the dataset and provide deeper insights.
Key achievements
- Consolidated key information from individual patient health records and presented it in a clear, visual format for healthcare professionals.
- Offered a broader perspective on each patient by illustrating changes and trends over time.
- Broke down barriers between different clinical disciplines by organising the data around the patient rather than isolated departments.
- Introduced interactive features, allowing users to hover over visual elements to access more detailed information.
More information
Improving Multi-morbidity Acute Care Using Data Analytics (Health Innovation South East Scotland)
Image credit: Neuronal synapse, artwork. Stephen Magrath. Source: Wellcome Collection.