Collaboration to focus on research and machine-learning technology to advance ESI triage algorithm
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (Dec. 18, 2019) – Signaling an important next step in the evolution of emergency department triage, the Emergency Nurses Association on Wednesday announced a partnership with Silicon Valley-based Mednition to put the power of clinical data science and machine-learning behind the Emergency Severity Index triage system used by nearly every emergency nurse in the United States.
In October, ENA acquired ESI, which is the leading triage resource relied upon by nurses to assess patient acuity based on their presentation in the ED and the expected level of care the patient will require. In partnership with ENA, Mednition will provide research expertise and cutting-edge data analysis tools that use real-time information to update and improve ESI, allowing ENA to partner with nurses to enhance their triage skills and decision-making abilities.
ENA’s collaboration with Mednition is a major milestone in the association’s plan to update, enhance, and expand the use of ESI. As it has done with previous education tools, ENA also plans to form a work group comprised of emergency nurse experts who will be focused on ESI’s future development.
“Through the acquisition of ESI and our partnership with Mednition, ENA is uniquely positioned to drive the advancement of triage in the emergency department and ultimately improve patient care,” said ENA President Patti Kunz Howard, PhD, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN, NE-BC, FAEN, FAAN. “This will undoubtedly help emergency nurses put the patients they see on the best course of treatment to attain better outcomes.”
The partnership is also a recognition of the need in today’s emergency department to use clinically validated data, aided by machine learning, to fuel rapid practice improvement. With the dynamic support of Mednition expertise in this collaboration, ENA will focus its triage vision on five key areas:
- Assessment, refinement and deployment of an updated ESI model
- Initial triage training and education updates
- Research and learning for the advancement of the emergency nursing profession
- Standardization of nursing data to advance sharing of that data
- Ensuring modern triage best practices and skill development
Mednition’s real-time machine learning-based clinical decision support technology is currently in use at Adventist Health White Memorial in Los Angeles, California. AHWM nurses assess an average of 160 patients per day and have used the Mednition KATE system to assist in acuity assessment since the start of 2019.
“Machine Learning has become an integral part of our triage process, providing our team with a real-time second set of eyes,” said Ruth Keniston, MSN, RN, CEN, an emergency department supervisor at Adventist Health White Memorial. “Our nurses are advancing the level of triage care as Mednition has helped us identify our biggest opportunities for triage improvement. This lets us focus our staff education to minimize common triage missteps.”
“Starting with a thorough review and update of ESI, this partnership will accelerate learning and the advancement of the emergency nursing practice, ensuring every emergency nurse has the best tools to practice safely and can add their expertise into advanced machine learning solutions,” said Mednition CEO and co-founder Steven Reilly. “We’re proud to be an integral player in advancing such a critical industry standard.”
About the Emergency Nurses Association
The Emergency Nurses Association is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable resource to the global emergency nursing community. With more than 44,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines, and guides emergency healthcare public policy. ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness, and all aspects of emergency care. Additional information is available at www.ena.org.
ENA Media Contact:
Dan Campana
Senior Manager, Communications
847-460-4017
[email protected]
About Mednition
Mednition was founded in 2014 with a passion to help clinicians improve healthcare delivery and save lives. Starting initially in the emergency department, Mednition is providing emergency nurses with KATE, a machine learning clinical decision support solution now in use at Adventist Health White Memorial in Los Angeles. The company is funded by a select group of private investors and major healthcare financial institutions, including Concord Health Partners. The company is based in Burlingame, California. For more information, please visit www.mednition.com.
Mednition Media Contact:
Rich Moore
Big Sprocket LLC
415-608-7441
[email protected]