Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/952761
28 DATA INFORMATICS AND ANALYTICS Intermountain's Precision Genomics Arm Begins Tests to Identify Hereditary Cancer Genes By Jessica Kim Cohen S alt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare plans to offer he- reditary cancer gene panels through the Intermountain Precision Genomics Core Laboratory in St. George, Utah, the health system announced Feb. 1. Intermountain Precision Genomics has developed and launched sever- al tests to identify genetic variants associated with hereditary cancers. Recent research has suggested an unmet need for genetic tests to screen women with a family history of breast and ovarian cancers, according to Amber Guidry, PhD, a scientist at Intermountain Precision Genomics. Dr. Guidry's work focuses on validating clinical genomics tests to detect the presence of mutations in genes passed from one genera- tion to the next. Intermountain Healthcare's cancer genetic counseling services works to identify and educate patients with a history of cancer to reduce their risk of developing the disease. Brent Hafen, who directs cancer genetic counseling for Intermountain Healthcare, explained, "Genetic counseling in association with genetic testing allows individuals with an increased cancer risk to obtain more frequent screenings at younger ages leading to earlier detection and treatment of many cancers." n Penn State Launches Big Data Project to Drive Population Health, Personalized Medicine Research By Jessica Kim Cohen A team of researchers at Pennsylvania State University are laying the groundwork for large-scale population health investiga- tions through a new data project, the university announced Feb. 6. The interdisciplinary project, dubbed the Digi- tal Collaboratory for Precision Health Research, will bring together clinical, environmental and socioeconomic datasets from various partner in- stitutions on a shared platform. Once launched, re- searchers with approved projects will be able to access the platform to integrate and analyze relevant data. The research team envisions approved projects will center on understanding how health problems affect different demographics. For example, the platform may provide data to researchers with projects investigating whether the rising rate of U.S. obesity is linked to community factors, such as a patient's distance from a grocery store or access to walkable streets. While research using the Digital Collaboratory for Precision Health Research platform will focus on macro-level trends, its organizers emphasized these studies will have implications for personalized medicine. "We are a product of our genes, behavior and environment," said Vasant Honavar, PhD, the project lead and chair of the university's college of information sciences and technology. "In order to improve health, we need to look beyond treating individuals who are sick and need to understand the underlying genetic, environmental and behavior- al factors so we can develop effective interventions." To establish the Digital Collaboratory for Precision Health Research, the research team will draw on expertise from across the university, including its center for big data analytics and discovery infor- matics, college of medicine, institute for cyber- science, college of engineering, and social science research institute, among other departments. n Ochsner Integrates AI Into Patient Care By Julie Spitzer W orking with Microsoft and Epic, New Orleans-based Ochsner Health System is using artificial intelligence technology to help treat patients more proactively. Integrating AI into patient care workflows helps deliver richer patient in- sights in real-time. Ochsner's new platform deploys Epic's machine learning, paired with Microsoft's cloud Azure capabilities, to analyze clinical data and identify potentially adverse health events quicker and more accurately. The predictive model helps Ochsner's Rapid Response Team intervene more proactively and in real-time. During the 90-day pilot, the team successfully reduced adverse events outside of the intensive care unit by 44 percent. "At Ochsner, patients are at the center of everything we do," said Laura Wilt, Ochsner system vice president and CIO. "By utilizing Epic's machine learning platform and Microsoft Azure, we can detect health patterns, learn from these insights and develop a more aggressive treatment plan as a preventative measure. It is about delivering a higher quality of care to change and save more lives." Ochsner also plans to implement Epic's machine learning platform pow- ered by Azure to other clinical specialties. It sees these AI-powered capa- bilities crucial to the future of patient care delivery and representative of staying competitive in innovative, technology-empowered patient care. n