#United States #Atlanta #ThreatAware #Switchboard #Infectious Disease

Switchboard, MD Unveils ThreatAware

Switchboard, MD, a physician-led artificial intelligence company, has introduced ThreatAware, an innovative platform aimed at assisting healthcare professionals in identifying potential infectious disease risks at an early stage. This cutting-edge solution employs advanced natural language processing and machine learning to analyze patient communications via phone calls, texts, emails, and patient portals, thereby enabling timely interventions for patients who may be at risk.

Tailored Insights for Clinicians

Developed through collaboration with a diverse group of multi-specialty physicians, ThreatAware utilizes specific criteria defined by clinicians to prioritize and identify cases that are disease-specific. By aligning the platform's functionalities with the insights provided by healthcare professionals, ThreatAware aims to deliver dependable information that allows clinical staff to concentrate on the patients' needs more effectively. This results in improved speed and efficiency in patient care delivery, ensuring that clinicians can act promptly when health threats arise.

Scalability and Collaboration

One of the standout features of ThreatAware is its scalable design, permitting healthcare organizations to swiftly adapt in response to evolving health challenges. The platform fosters enhanced collaboration between healthcare providers and public health agencies, which is critical in managing emerging health threats effectively. Additionally, ThreatAware provides actionable population health insights, offering valuable data for clinicians and researchers to make informed decisions and prepare for potential health crises.

Challenges Addressed

"Developing AI models for infectious disease management entails unique challenges," explained Yuanda Zhu, PhD, Director of Engineering at Switchboard, MD. He emphasized the importance of understanding the complexity of medical conditions, needing expert-level training data, and the diverse ways in which patients report symptoms. The successful creation of ThreatAware stemmed from engaging a wide range of clinicians globally, ensuring the system's adaptability to real-world scenarios, leading to actionable insights.

Importance of Flexibility

Larry J. Anderson, MD, a professor at Emory University School of Medicine and former Director of the CDC's Division of Viral Diseases, highlighted the significance of having a flexible and integrated system to manage emerging health threats. As new outbreaks can lead to rapidly evolving symptoms and data points, the ability to analyze these changes promptly is essential for making well-informed decisions and supporting effective healthcare responses.

In addressing the critical challenges of infectious disease management, ThreatAware equips healthcare organizations to take swift action in safeguarding patients and alleviating resource strain. The tool also fosters collaboration with public health initiatives, ensuring a comprehensive approach to healthcare delivery.

This transformative project has been partially funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), demonstrating the commitment to advancing public health through innovative solutions.

About Switchboard, MD

Switchboard, MD is dedicated to enhancing the human connection in medicine through data science. The company focuses on developing clinically relevant products that alleviate administrative burdens and foster high-quality patient experiences. By harnessing the power of AI and a physician-focused approach, Switchboard, MD is reshaping healthcare delivery and improving patient outcomes.