5 Local Health Care Companies that Use AI

As we look to the future, some things which once seemed impossible are now becoming possible. While artificial intelligence (AI) has long been characterized in the media as the antagonist, the AI of today is a positive tool that health care professionals can use to better care for their patients.

As of Sept. 16, 2022, there were 31 health care start-up companies that use AI in the Austin area. While some are more technologically orientated, such as using AI to analyze risk models and health data analysis, we found five companies that use AI in ways that not only benefit medical professionals but the average person as well. 

Diligent Robotics

Courtesy of Diligent Robotics

Established in 2017, Diligent Robotics creates and analyzes robotics in a social setting.

Diligent Robotics works with nurses and patient care teams to provide robotics help. The robot, named Moxi, is able to save time for medical professionals by picking up and delivering personal protective equipment, medications, general supplies, lab samples and more. 

Moxi works around the clock assisting nurses and staff in non-patient-facing tasks so that the human staff has more time to directly care for the patients. Moxi can be sent across the country, but Diligent is based in Austin.

Pattern Bioscience

Since its inception in 2016, Pattern Bioscience aims to improve the quality of antibiotic treatment decisions by using AI.

Pattern Bioscience uses AI to shorten the waiting time for necessary tests, such as ID/AST tests, which are often used to determine possible liver diseases in a patient as well as detect chemical imbalances in metabolism. While, traditionally, this type of test takes between 2 to 4 days to complete, Pattern can provide results of an ID/AST test within about four hours. 

By providing quicker results, Pattern helps decrease antibiotic misuse among patients, as doctors often must make swift decisions regarding antibiotics before the lab results are complete. 

Dele Health Tech

Since 2011, Dele Health uses AI to predict and detect falls among older people. As stated on their website, “70% of all senior deaths are due to fall-related injuries,” and Dele Health Tech aims to reduce that percentage.

Remote monitoring of patients wasn’t keeping up with technology, so Dele Health Tech uses AI to bring that monitoring up to speed. They do this by placing a discrete sensor in a patient’s room to monitor movement only. When the sensor detects a fall, a nurse or other health care professional is notified immediately through Dele’s programming. 

This sensor also compiles data on the likelihood of a fall by analyzing medication, exercise and previous fall history to help health care professionals react even faster.

Pandemic Insights

Founded in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pandemic Insights is a company centered around reducing the risk of getting an infectious disease, starting with COVID-19.

Pandemic Insights uses AI to show the likelihood of a risk of infection (whether it be from COVID-19 or another illness) in a public area. Their services can be used for personal use as users can download an app upon entering a public space to determine their likelihood of infection, or policymakers and public health officials can use the data from this service to determine the next move for a given area when it comes to an outbreak.

Omaiven Health

Founded in 2017, Omaiven Health works to automate health clinics, thus allowing clinical staff to spend more time with patients. Part of the services they offer includes a smart call center, smart front desk and smart care manager.

By improving the administrative portion of health care through the use of AI, Omaiven Health reduces expenses and increases job satisfaction.

What AI Can Look Like

As evidenced by these Austin companies, AI can be a good thing, especially when it comes to health care. It can help automate services so that the heart and soul of health care and clinical staff can work more closely with patients, and it creates a service that is better for all involved. Let’s see what the future can accomplish in health care through AI.