UMass Memorial Health Joins Forces with AEYE Health to Revolutionize Diabetic Eye Care through AI Integration

Transformative Steps in Diabetic Eye Care: AEYE Health and UMass Memorial Health

In a significant advancement in diabetic eye care, AEYE Health, renowned for its innovative AI solutions, has partnered with UMass Memorial Health (UMMH) to integrate their pioneering AEYE-DS autonomous diagnostic screening system into UMMH's electronic medical records (EMR) framework. This collaboration aims to transform how diabetic patients receive screenings, fostering enhanced care, efficiency, and education regarding retinal health.

The AEYE-DS tool is tailored to enhance the screening protocols for diabetic retinopathy (DR). Before its integration, screening adherence at UMMH was notably low, with only 29 percent of patients participating. However, after just four months of using the AEYE-DS system, adherence rates surged to 49 percent. This impressive increase underscores the effectiveness of integrating AI-powered screening into a primary care workflow.

One of the standout benefits of AEYE-DS is its swift operational capability, significantly reducing the average screening duration by an astounding 75 percent; patients now receive results in one to two minutes. The rapid nature of this system allows healthcare providers to immediately discuss results during consultations, making it easier to educate patients about the critical link between blood glucose control and retinal health. In doing so, healthcare professionals can elevate their discussions and ensure patients are more aware of their health choices.

Even more impressive, the AEYE-DS screenings have received reimbursement under CPT 92229, with most claims reported as approved, making this a viable option for widespread adoption in clinical practice. The integration into UMMH's existing EMR not only streamlined operations but enriched the patient experience, positioning care teams to initiate screenings right from patient visits and obtain instantaneous results for follow-up discussions.

The use of AEYE-DS has led to uplifted quality metrics, particularly in Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) performance measures, which monitor the effectiveness of care in a variety of areas. The initiative also serves as a fitting tribute to Dr. James Ledwith, whose untimely passing resonated deeply within the UMMH community. His commitment to improving diabetic care fostered the strategic partnership with AEYE Health, creating a legacy that continues to inspire innovation in healthcare.

Zack Dvey-Aharon, Ph.D., the CEO of AEYE Health, echoed this sentiment as he highlighted that the partnership has not only driven significant improvements in patient outcomes but operational efficiencies as well. In reference to Dr. Ledwith's vision, he emphasized the transformative nature of the AEYE-DS integration and its ongoing benefits to diabetic care practices at UMMH.

Dr. Juan Ding, a notable figure from the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at UMMH, praised AEYE-DS's immediate, accurate diagnostic capabilities, remarking on its positive impact on patient education and streamlined workflows in family medicine practices. The seamless EMR integration has enabled practitioners to allocate their resources efficiently while reinforcing the continuity of care provided to patients.

M. Diane McKee, MD, and chair in Family and Community Medicine at UMass Memorial Health, also expressed optimism regarding the potential expansion of AEYE-DS technology throughout more healthcare practices within the system to further enhance patient convenience and increase retinopathy screening rates.

As a further step in their commitment to cutting-edge diabetic care, UMass Memorial Health plans to integrate AEYE Health’s newly FDA-cleared handheld solution, allowing for portable screenings that will expand screening accessibility across more clinics, significantly lowering costs and bottlenecked wait times for patients.

In conclusion, the partnership between AEYE Health and UMass Memorial Health sets a new benchmark in the field of diabetic eye care. It demonstrates the scope of AI technology’s transformative power in healthcare, improving adherence to screenings, lowering operational burdens, and fundamentally enhancing patient education and care.

As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, such collaborations pave the way for more personalized, effective, and timely care solutions for diabetic patients everywhere.