Brief: APPRAISE is a research initiative evaluating a software system designed to support doctors and nurses in managing patients after major trauma. This software helps clinicians monitor trauma patients' rapidly changing conditions and implement timely management steps, enhancing existing care without replacing standard medical devices or routines.
Key Areas of Research:
- Spinal Cord Injury: Developed the VIGORIS software system, leveraging AI for optimal blood pressure management post-injury, funded by the Massachusetts Spinal Cord Injury Cure Research Program.
- Sepsis: Created a management protocol that reduced antibiotic delays at MGH and improved the reliability of detection algorithms, enhancing sepsis data interpretation.
- Trauma: Identified vital-sign patterns indicative of life-threatening hemorrhage and developed AI software for automatic patient detection, tested successfully on Boston MedFlight. Conducted simulations to assess the impact of dehydration during hemorrhage.
- Circulatory Shock: Established predictive techniques for worsening blood pressure in critically ill patients to facilitate timely medication adjustments.
Challenges:
The complexity of trauma patient care often leads to critical tasks being overlooked due to rapidly changing conditions, particularly during the initial management phase.
Solution:
The MGH research team developed APPRAISE, a software system that tracks patient status and provides management recommendations, minimizing delays and errors in care. This system enhances the delivery of life-saving interventions and improves overall trauma patient outcomes. It is now implemented in trauma centers everywhere.
Process:
- Formed a design team including a Principal UX Designer, Lead Developer, and Physician.
- Conducted extensive data analysis and developed algorithms based on historical trauma patient data, leading to a low-fidelity prototype.
- Collaborated with developers to iterate on interactive designs for tablets connected to medical equipment.
- Invited participants for a clinical study to test the response time of the experience design.