New computer system helps doctors calculate patients' chances of dying

Article Abstract:

Researchers at the George Washington University Hospital use APACHE III medical/health software in a medical advice system that calculates a patient's chance of dying. Traditionally, doctors make subjective conclusions based on medical indicators and past experience. This method is usually accurate for people with a very high or low risk of dying, but is not as effective for those in between. The new system, described in the journal 'Science,' enables doctors to compare a patient's condition against thousands of others and calculate the odds of death. Researchers took a group of 850 newly-admitted patients and compared human and computer predictions their chances of survival. Doctors predicted 25.5 percent would die, while the computer predicted 19.7 percent. The computer was closer. In reality, 20.7 percent died.

Colleges and universities, Research, Software, Medical research, Health care information services, Software Packages, Medical Advice Systems, Medical Issues, Treatment Planning, George Washington University. Hospital (Washington, D.C.), APACHE III (Medical/health software)

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IBM, Blue Cross join in plan to boost electronic handling of medical claims

Article Abstract:

IBM and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Assn announce a joint effort to increase the volume of electronically processed medical claims. Technology firms and health insurers are becoming increasingly interested in cutting health-care costs by replacing paper claims with electronic claims. The joint effort will open up Blue Cross' proprietary network, which processes 444 million claims annually, so that health-care providers can file claims to private insurers through the system without having to spend heavily on additional hardware and software. IBM and participating plans would charge a transaction fee for processing the commercial claims. The new network faces competition from a rival system run by the National Electronic Information Corp, a consortium owned by commercial insurers.

Prepackaged software, Patent owners and lessors, Information management, Health insurance industry, Electronic filing, Claims Processing, Cooperative Agreements, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

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IBM moves to cap mental health costs

Article Abstract:

IBM signs a contract with American PsychManagement, a small health care company, to provide mental health and substance abuse treatment for IBM's 700,000 employees and dependents. American PyschManagement will establish a network of 10,000 psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers, along with hospitals and treatment centers, to handle the contract. The move by IBM is representative of a trend among large corporations to separate mental health and substance abuse programs from other health benefits. IBM and other companies hope the move will help contain mental health costs.

Health aspects, IBM, Mental health, Mental disorders, Health Care, Mental Illness, American Psych-Management Inc.

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