AI System Reduces Unexpected Hospital Deaths by 26%, Study Finds

The CHARTwatch tool at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto has shown significant promise in improving patient outcomes through early warnings.

A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found a 26% reduction in non-palliative deaths when the AI tool CHARTwatch was used.
The AI system analyzes over 100 pieces of patient data and updates predictions hourly to alert clinicians of potential deterioration.
The technology was deployed in St. Michael's Hospital's general internal medicine unit and compared to other units without the tool, showing no change in death rates there.
Researchers emphasize the need for further studies across multiple hospitals to validate the tool's effectiveness in different settings.
The AI tool complements clinical judgment, prompting earlier interventions and potentially easing end-of-life care for patients.