Enhancing Palliative Care with Machine Learning
The Opportunity
Previous research has consistently demonstrated the positive effects of palliative care for patients, families, and health systems. The goal of this project is to increase appropriate utilization of palliative care services for our patients by use of automatic identification and enhanced referral systems.
Our Approach
Dr. Moore and his team developed a machine learning algorithm that utilized claims and electronic medical record (EMR) data to identify patients at high risk of mortality in one and six months. They instituted an opt-out palliative care referral system at Missouri Baptist for inpatients identified by the algorithm and instituted an advanced care planning program in the Missouri Baptist region for primary care patients identified by the algorithm.
The Solution
This program is now live at seven hospitals and primary clinics throughout BJC and, as of June 2022, has enrolled nearly 500 patients. The current goal is to have this product built into Epic by the end of 2022.
