Early identification and management of patients with sepsis is critical to decreasing sepsis mortality. Currently over 200,000 patients die from sepsis every year in the U.S. and that figure is growing, making this challenge one of the most pressing issues facing the healthcare system today and one that requires significant focus and resources.
A large health system in Texas has partnered with IBM in the use of Watson cognitive analytics in order to develop a plan for data analysis and patient management of sepsis. The initial phase is designed to have Watson cognitive analytics combine EMR data with clinical notes to assist with mortality reviews of identified sepsis patients. IBM and the health system will use Watson cognitive analytics to evaluate time to diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes and generate data that clinicians can use to help inform standard treatment protocols and procedures. The ultimate goal of the project is to use cognitive analytics to assist clinicians with early identification of patients at risk for sepsis, and provide optimal treatment to improve clinical outcomes and save lives.