11. Jan 2023
AI improves care for intensive care patients in hospitals
Together with the University of Augsburg and Augsburg University Hospital, XITASO is developing new digital assistance systems for intensive care units that use AI-based algorithms to help provide better care for the critically ill.
The management of intensive care units has a significant impact on the recovery of patients. However, due to the unpredictable intensive care cases of the OR program and the uncertain length of stay of patients, planning and management of these wards is very difficult and complicated. In addition, the capacities of these wards are limited, not least because of the often high supply and personnel requirements.
The “KISIK” project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), was selected as one of 14 collaborative projects from 151 applications for the 3-year funding. It will investigate how the care of patients in intensive care units can be improved through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). In particular, the research project will optimize the planning and control of intensive care units. A relevant parameter will be the utilization rate.
Together with the University of Augsburg and the University Hospital Augsburg, XITASO is developing an innovative, intuitive digital assistant for decision support. In the process, new, AI-based prediction and optimization algorithms are being developed. Prof. Dr. Jens O. Brunner, project coordinator at the University of Augsburg, explains: “For example, AI-based algorithms can help to better predict the length of stay of intensive care patients. This, in turn, helps those responsible to use the limited intensive care capacities optimally to care for all seriously ill patients.” Dr. Thomas Geislinger, CEO of XITASO’s healthcare business unit PLANFOX, adds, “We also aim to use AI to reduce the number of operations postponed at short notice as well as premature transfers. In addition, it is also possible to transfer these AI-based approaches to other areas of healthcare, such as outpatient care.”
Practical, applied research is close to XITASO’s heart. “We want to keep pushing the state-of-the-art and give researchers plenty of room to do so at our company. In the KISIK project, we will be able to apply our expertise in the field of artificial intelligence to a socially very relevant topic, where we will continue to expand,” says Dr. Jan-Philipp Steghöfer, Senior Researcher at XITASO.
In addition, the research project will also analyze the general applicability, acceptance and effectiveness of AI-based digital decision support in hospital operations.
KISIK stands for AI-based forecasting and optimization methods in assistance systems for the effective and efficient management of intensive care capacity in German hospitals.
Other projects within the funding initiative: https://www.interaktive-technologien.de/foerderung/bekanntmachungen/kias
About XITASO
As a digitization partner and expert for high-end software engineering, XITASO supports B2B customers in an advisory capacity, identifies digitization potential, optimizes business processes and creates digital strategies and solutions. The company is characterized by an agile mindset with proven expertise in the areas of Industry 4.0, Internet of Things (IoT), Digital Twin, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality. The focus is on making complex systems easy and intuitive to use.
With a focus on excellent solutions for the challenges of digital change, XITASO serves customers throughout Germany from various industries, especially from mechanical and equipment engineering as well as healthcare. With a steady growth to a good 200 employees since its foundation in 2011, the company maintains office locations in Augsburg, Berlin, Erlangen, Ingolstadt, Krumbach, Leipzig, Münster and Madrid.
About PLANFOX
PLANFOX is the healthcare business unit of XITASO, specializing in process consulting, change management support, software products and customized software development for the sustainable digital transformation of healthcare. The digital product portfolio includes resource management solutions, patient portals (KHZG), communication solutions and self-check-in solutions. PLANFOX products are used by numerous hospitals and university clinics throughout Germany.