Dallas-based AI and predictive analytics startup Pieces Technologies and Plano-based global technology servicers provider NTT Data Services announced the launch of a joint readmissions system at the HIMSS18 conferene held last week in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The companies said that the system will combine the Pieces Decision Sciences platform with NTT Data’s clinical transformation services to assist health-care providers in reducing readmissions and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations.

“Reducing readmissions and avoidable hospitalizations can have an immediate, positive impact to a hospital’s bottom line.”

Mary Piepenbrink

“Reducing readmissions and avoidable hospitalizations can have an immediate, positive impact to a hospital’s bottom line,” Mary Piepenbrink, senior vice president of sales and client success for Pieces Technologies, said in a release. “We have seen multidisciplinary teams try to tackle readmissions, but many still lack the actionable insight needed for noticeable results.”

The Pieces DS platform allows the readmissions system to compile a more comprehensive predictive risk score, which includes the traditional medical and physical attributes as well as consideration of social determinants of health.

The companies said that the resulting risk score is based on real-time data and presented within 24 hours of a patient being admitted. That’s enough time for the patient’s care team to take clinical interventions needed to reduce the risk of readmission, they said.

NTT Data Services complements the Pieces AI technology by providing clinical transformation services aimed at process re-design and clinical interventions.

PIECES, NTT SOLVING THE READMISSIONS CHALLENGE

“We have gone through an extensive process to align our methodology to solve the readmissions challenge and identify benefits and improved outcomes for our clients,” Barron Lange, president of provider segment for NTT Data, said in the release. “Clinical and digital transformations take a tremendous amount of effort and quantitative data. Working with Pieces, we can more effectively guide our clients through this journey.”

Pieces was in the news in February when it announced that it had raised $325 million in debt-only funding as part of a total offering of $15 million.

“We are excited about the current fundraising,” Pieces Technologies Chief Operating Officer Jarred Mayrosh told Dallas Innovates via email at that time. “With the proceeds, we will continue to advance our work in artificial intelligence, specifically our unique ‘clinician in the loop’ machine learning, creating clinical and operational benefits in health systems.”