Cochlear Implant Database Poised to Expand with Noah-Compatible Platform
WICHITA FALLS, Texas (PRWEB) June 21, 2016 -- What began three years ago as an effort by a small group of hearing health professionals to collect cochlear implant data and track outcomes has taken a major step toward becoming the largest repository of its kind in the world.
The non-profit Auditory Implant Initiative (Aii) announced that it has completed development of a new application that is compatible with Noah, the industry standard in integrated hearing care software. Named HERMES (HIPAA-Secure Encrypted Research Management Evaluation Solution), the application greatly enhances the ability to grow Aii’s database of information to help cochlear implant patients and providers.
HERMES is a cloud-based, HIPAA secure, encrypted platform capable of connecting to a Noah 4 System to facilitate transfer of data and audiograms into its growing database. This aggregate data for cochlear implants can be used by academic institutions and researchers to affect positive change with healthcare policy, funding bodies and other stakeholders..
It is estimated that 1.2 million Americans suffer from profound hearing loss and this number will only expand with an aging population. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), approximately 324,200 cochlear implants had been implanted worldwide as of December 2012. In the United States, roughly 58,000 devices were implanted in adults and 38,000 in children.
HERMES allows participating providers to track cochlear implant patients along a continuum of care providing a mechanism for better care-coordination, to share and collaborate with like-minded professionals, grow their referral network, and to be part of what is to be the largest repository for cochlear implant data. Head and neck surgeon Jed Grisel, M.D., Aii’s co-founder, said that this data can then be used “to improve outcomes for all patients.”
“This integration of Noah and HERMES is an exciting milestone for the Auditory Implant Initiative and we believe will help simplify workflow and improve patient care management,” Dr. Grisel said. “Our overall vision is to harness the collective power of aggregate data to bring value back to the individual patient as well as their hearing health professionals.”
Membership in the Aii is free, and provides access to HERMES. HERMES allows members to:
- Track patients along a continuum of care. The cloud-based, patient-centric nature of the cochlear implant database allows information to follow the patient over time, providing a longitudinal record of progress and clinical outcomes, Dr. Grisel said.
- Provide better cochlear implant care-coordination/information. The concept of “virtual care teams” allows efficient and secure sharing of information to keep all members of the patient’s care team informed of updates and progress.
- Collaborate with like-minded professionals. A growing network of participating centers serves as a learning community for cochlear implant care.
- Grow their referral network. Secure and efficient sharing of clinical information for cochlear implants can solidify referral networks and clinical relationships.
- Contribute to, and benefit from, the largest repository for cochlear implant data. The ever-growing aggregate dataset can be used in multiple ways, including developing predictive analytics and influencing payer policy.
For more information on Aii and HERMES, and to learn how to become a member, visit aii-hermes.org.
About Aii
The Auditory Implant Initiative (Aii) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization headquartered in Texas. Aii’s mission is to improve cochlear implant care in a community setting by focusing on research, collaboration and outreach. The Auditory Implant Initiative is passionate about bringing hearing technology to more patients. We want to extend the reach of Cochlear implants to a larger demographic, while also capturing valuable patient data to further optimize the overall patient care process. Visit aii-hermes.org.
Anne Lam, Aii-HERMES, https://aii-hermes.org/, +1 (940)-337-2538, [email protected]
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