Digital health tool for aged care receives award

A digital risk prediction tool developed by RMIT University and Telstra Health for use in aged care facilities has received the Digital and Data Health Innovation Award for 2024.

Detecting health deterioration in frail residents is notoriously difficult, as early signs are often subtle and involve a complex mix of physical, mental and functional factors that conventional hospital tools can overlook.

Persistent workforce shortages further challenge aged care facilities’ ability to consistently monitor for these signs, resulting in nearly 40% of aged care residents being transferred to hospitals each year. Research suggests that 13–40% of these transfers could be prevented through early detection and intervention.

In response to these challenges, the team from RMIT, Telstra Health, and the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC) developed a tool that uses natural language processing and machine learning to automatically analyse data from electronic records.

The new electronic screening device represents a vital step towards fulfilling the Royal Commission into Aged Care’s goal of protecting and improving the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life of those receiving government-funded aged care.

It continuously monitors residents’ data for 36 evidence-based markers of deterioration, providing near-real-time predictions of risks like falls, depression and mortality. The results are displayed on a dashboard, allowing staff to monitor both individual residents and overall trends, supporting timely, proactive decisions to get residents the care and support they need.

RMIT’s project lead, data scientist Dr Tabinda Sarwar, said the diversity of aged care facilities made adapting AI-powered tools complex, with each provider demanding tailored solutions to support their unique workflows and expectations.

“This project wasn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. We had to consider the specific needs of each facility and that is what makes this achievement so significant,” Sarwar said.

The team’s commitment to real-world impact is evident in the collaboration with gerontologists and aged care staff. By analysing historical data and employing innovative predictive analytics techniques, the tool has the potential to benefit over 60,000 elderly residents.

The tool has undergone rigorous clinical validation and usability studies by nursing staff, ensuring its effectiveness and usability in real-world settings.

“By harnessing natural language processing and machine learning, we are not only improving resident outcomes but also supporting care providers with actionable insights to make timely, life-saving decisions,” said Telstra Health’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Monica Trujillo.

DHCRC CEO Annette Schmiede said the innovation demonstrated how routinely collected data could be used to ensure older people received the care they deserved, while easing growing demands on healthcare providers.

“Caring for Australia’s rapidly aging population, even in one of the best healthcare systems in the world, has its challenges. Innovative digital health tools, like the one developed by RMIT and Telstra Health, can ensure that aged care residents receive timely, personalised care and reduce the incidence of stressful and costly emergency interventions,” she said.

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