Sat Feb 01 10:10:00 UTC 2025: ## AI Tool Predicts Health Risks in Aged Care, Winning Prestigious Award

**Sydney, Australia –** A groundbreaking AI-powered tool developed by Telstra Health and RMIT University is set to revolutionize aged care in Australia. The tool, winner of the 2024 Research Australia Digital & Data Health Innovation Award, predicts health risks like falls, depression, and mortality by analyzing patient data from electronic health records.

Facing increasing pressure to meet the growing demand for quality care, Australia’s aged care system – currently supporting 456,000 Australians – will benefit from this innovative technology. The AI analyzes both structured and free-text patient data, identifying 36 evidence-based indicators of deterioration. This allows nursing staff to proactively manage resident well-being, alleviating the significant workload associated with monitoring multiple residents’ diverse health needs.

Developed using natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning techniques, the tool processes daily operational data including geriatric assessments, observation charts, and progress notes. This enables early detection of potential health issues and generates predictive alerts. The system, currently being deployed by Telstra Health in facilities across Australia, has already garnered significant interest from aged care homes.

Dr. Tabinda Sarwar, RMIT University’s project lead, emphasizes the tool’s adaptability to diverse aged care settings and its potential for wider application in other healthcare sectors such as hospitals. The collaboration between Telstra Health, RMIT, and the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre successfully navigated the complexities of creating a universally applicable solution. Rigorous testing ensured user-friendliness and clinical feasibility.

The success of the project highlights the potential of collaborative efforts between academia and industry to leverage technology for improved healthcare outcomes. Future developments may expand the tool’s functionality to predict even more health risks.

Read More