The new cloud-first platform will use predictive analytics to help manage patient flow, staffing, and equipment.
GE HealthCare is collaborating with The Queen’s Health Systems in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Duke Health in Durham, NC, to advance the development of a new artificial intelligence (AI)-driven hospital operations software.
Both health systems will provide clinical and operational expertise to help shape the forthcoming cloud-first Software as a Service solution. The new platform, which will be part of GE HealthCare’s CareIntellect family of applications, is designed to use AI and predictive analytics to recommend actions for improving patient flow, managing resources, and enhancing quality of care. The goal is to provide hospital leaders with actionable insights to make real-time adjustments.
“At Queen’s, we believe in the power of technology to empower clinicians and improve patient care,” says Ashley Shearer, vice president, care coordination, patient flow, geriatrics, and inpatient rehab at The Queen’s Medical Center, in a release. “As a current user of GE HealthCare’s Command Center software, we have seen firsthand how data-driven insights are helping us better advance our mission to deliver the best care in the best possible way. With the support of GE HealthCare’s technology and change management expertise, alongside other key initiatives, we have been able to improve access to care and increase the number of transfer patients by more than 22%.”
“We want to help health systems globally deliver better outcomes for patients,” says Kristie Barazsu, president and chief operating officer, Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital, and vice president of patient flow and transfer center, Duke University Health System, in a release. “That’s why we’re contributing our expertise to shape the ways in which AI is used in healthcare…Bringing the latest technology into our organization has allowed us to give our leadership the information we need to quickly adjust, tackle emerging issues, and optimize the care we provide across our hospitals.”
Addressing Operational Challenges
The development of the new software comes as health systems face increased patient volumes, staff shortages, and rising costs. According to industry data cited by GE HealthCare, health systems’ expenses rose 6% year-over-year in 2024, and the US anticipates a 10% nursing shortage by 2027.
The new solution will draw on insights from nearly 500 medical facilities that currently use GE HealthCare’s Command Center software. It aims to provide predictive analytics and recommended actions across areas including bed demand, staffing, and equipment. The platform will run on the CareIntellect cloud infrastructure, which is designed to allow health systems to deploy applications without requiring costly, product-by-product integrations.
Building on Existing Technology
GE HealthCare’s current Command Center software helps hospitals manage patient flow and operations. The Queen’s Health Systems reported measurable results from using the existing technology, including:
- A 22.2% increase in patient transfer admissions in the first ten months.
- A 41.2% decrease in emergency department length of stay.
- An overall decrease in patient length of stay of 1.07 days.
- An estimated $20 million in savings in the first year due to reduced length of stay.
“We are continuously innovating and working closely with customers to advance what’s possible with cloud, AI, and software solutions,” says Bree Bush, general manager of Command Center, in a release. Bush adds, “By bringing in their frontline expertise, clinical knowledge, and operational expertise, we’re accelerating innovation that helps hospitals operate more efficiently, support their staff, and ultimately deliver better care.”
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