Wolters Kluwer Introduces AI Technology to Predict C. difficile Infections and Improve Patient Outcomes

Using surveillance technology to predict risk of C. diff, hospitals can reduce time to detection and treatment to improve outcomes and reduce spread of disease

WALTHAM, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#ASHP19—Wolters Kluwer, Health is introducing machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to its surveillance solution—Sentri7®—to predict healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) such as Clostridioides difficile, or C. diff. Every day, clinicians are faced with the challenge of rapidly identifying and treating HAIs. As a result, hospitals are turning to advanced technology to meet this challenge and improve patient outcomes.

“As one of the leading causes of HAIs and deaths, C. diff is a top patient safety concern for health systems,” said Jean-Claude Saghbini, chief technology officer, Wolters Kluwer, Health. “That’s why Wolters Kluwer is applying this AI technology to help hospitals get a head start on C. diff infections with smarter clinical surveillance technology that can predict the risk of infections days in advance. This predictive surveillance gives patients the best chance for a positive outcome while their loved ones and hospital staff and other patients are protected from the spread of this bacteria.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report, in 2017, there were an estimated 223,900 cases of C. diff in hospitalized patients and 12,800 deaths in the United States. While significant progress has been made to reduce the number of infections and deaths caused by antibiotic-resistant infections, the number of overall people experiencing antibiotic resistance remains high. In addition, health systems are taking a closer look at how to tackle C. diff infections since poor-performing hospitals received reduced reimbursements through CMS Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) and Hospital Acquired Condition Reduction (HACRP) quality programs.

“Machine learning and AI are revolutionizing patient care by helping to identify patients at risk for C. diff infection that clinicians might overlook,” said Karen Kobelski, Vice President and General Manager, Clinical Surveillance, Compliance & Data Solutions at Wolters Kluwer, Health. “Our mission is to ensure every patient benefits from the best knowledge and evidence to improve their care. With Sentri7’s predictive C. diff infection risk score, clinicians can identify high-risk patients, remove modifiable risk factors and initiate evidence-based care much sooner. That time advantage could reduce the severity of patient infection and early identification can be the difference between an isolated case and an outbreak for a hospital.”

Wolters Kluwer’s Sentri7 clinical surveillance solution technology integrates with leading electronic health record (EHR) solutions to aggregate data and run evidence-based rules and alerts in real-time to provide insights on a patient population.

Learn More at ASHP19

Wolters Kluwer will be exhibiting at the 2019 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. To learn more about Wolters Kluwer AI-powered clinical surveillance solutions, please stop by and visit us at #ASHP19 booth 1029 or visit: ASHP2019.pharmacyonesource.com.

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About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer N.V. (WKL) is a global provider of professional information, software solutions, and services for physicians, nurses, accountants, lawyers, tax specialists, and finance, audit, compliance, and regulatory sectors.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2018 annual revenues of €4.3 billion. The company serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 18,600 people.

Wolters Kluwer provides trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions that engage clinicians, patients, researchers and students with advanced clinical decision support, learning and research and clinical intelligence. For more information about our solutions, visit our Health solutions on www.wolterskluwer.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @WKHealth and YouTube.

Contacts

André Rebelo

Sr. Global Public Relations Manager

781-392-2411

andre.rebelo@wolterskluwer.com