Our Advance Alert Monitor program uses predictive analytics to address serious complications before they happen. It earned an award for quality and patient safety.
As a neonatal intensive care nurse for 39 years, Erin Fowler-Jones knows what exceptional care looks like. When she arrived at a Kaiser Permanente emergency department in Northern California because of a worsening foot infection, she was impressed by the attention and care she received.
“From the first night I was admitted through the next day,” she recalled, “I had staff constantly coming by, monitoring my condition, and making sure that I was OK.”
What Fowler-Jones didn’t know was that in addition to her care team frequently visiting her, our award-winning Advance Alert Monitor program was also hard at work ensuring her health and safety.
Advance Alert Monitor is an advanced program that helps prevent emergencies in the hospital before they happen. Every hour, the program automatically analyzes hospital patients’ electronic health data. If it identifies a patient at risk of serious decline, it sends an alert to a specialized virtual quality nursing team which then reanalyzes the data to determine what level of on-site intervention is needed.
To predict which patients are likely to decline — meaning they might soon need emergency resuscitation or need to be transferred to the intensive care unit — the program uses a powerful analytical engine that takes into account many patient factors. These factors include laboratory test results and vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
“It takes a team approach to ensure the patients are well cared for by intervening early and providing the appropriate medical treatment,” said Vanessa Martinez, DNP, RN, director of Virtual Nursing Care at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California.
Gabriel Escobar, MD, a research scientist at Kaiser Permanente and lead author of a New England Journal of Medicine study on the Advance Alert Monitor, recognizes that alert systems are nothing new to hospitals but says this program is different.
“What is unique about AAM is that it is not just a sophisticated statistical model,” Dr. Escobar said. “Rather, it is an integrated system that links accurate and timely risk estimates with a health care team that includes physicians and nurses who combine the predictions with carefully defined workflows.”
The program uses that data along with learnings from the more than 1.5 million patient records in our electronic health record system to assign each patient a score. When a patient’s score rises above a certain level, an alert is sent.
“Kaiser Permanente is able to power Advance Alert Monitor due to our vast electronic health record system,” Dr. Escobar said. “With all that data, the program can produce very accurate patient risk scores.”
Fowler-Jones had no idea her condition had triggered an alert, or that a behind-the-scenes team was carefully monitoring her condition. But she’s thankful for it — Advance Alert Monitor may have saved her life.
“I just knew that my doctor’s focus was on my health and that I was carefully being watched,” she said. “It was an overwhelming relief to me.”
Advance Alert Monitor has been providing peace of mind to Kaiser Permanente patients and families since it first started rolling out in Northern California hospitals in 2015. It’s now used at all 21 of our hospitals in Northern California.
The recent Advance Alert Monitor study published in the New England of Journal Medicine found that the system was responsible for preventing 520 deaths per year over a 3-and-a-half-year study period. It also showed a lower incidence of ICU admissions and shorter hospital stays.
Advance Alert Monitor recently earned the Austco Excellence Award for Quality and Patient Safety at the 2021 International Hospital Federation Awards.
“Advance Alert Monitor reflects our commitment to providing the safest care possible by leveraging advances in data and science technology,” said Andy Bindman, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer at Kaiser Permanente. “Because of this program, we are identifying patients who need immediate attention, intervening early, and providing the high-quality, exceptional care that our patients and families deserve.”
Because Fowler-Jones’ care teams responded quickly to her condition, she was treated appropriately and within a few days was well enough to return home.
“Advance Alert Monitor is an amazing idea,” she said. “It’s like another guardian, and sometimes all you need is another set of eyes watching over you.”
In August 2023, John Lynn collapsed at work. For the next year, he fought …
A lifelong educator seeks behavioral health care to manage repetitive worries, …
After a long period of loneliness and isolation, Roberta Maguire gets the …
Miriam Gutierrez was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer at age 31. …
New medical offices will enhance the health care experience for members …
Kaiser Permanente celebrates doctors and nurse practitioners recognized …
Connecting through a shared heritage gives one therapist a unique perspective …
With the support of his health care team and nurse navigator, musician …
The new Pueblo North Medical Offices will replace the existing facility …
After a life-threatening series of heart attacks at age 57, Bunnell Fockler …
Donna Budway received prompt surgery followed by chemotherapy. She credits …
A basketball coach’s remarkable story of undergoing brain tumor surgery …
Support from a dedicated care team helps Tiffany Anonye breastfeed her …
The final steel beams for the new Kaiser Permanente Parker Medical Offices …
A mother and daughter share a special bond after undergoing tonsillectomies …
Kaiser Permanente in San Diego helped plan a special send-off for Katie …
Ed Dalmasso needed an aortic valve replacement. His care team provided …
Harold Newman had advanced prostate cancer. Genetic testing helped expand …
Readers of The Olympian voted their Kaiser Permanente location as the best …
5280 Magazine named 332 Kaiser Permanente physicians to its annual Top …
A Southern California program, powered by our connected care model, is …
Our safe, high-quality, compassionate care landed us on Newsweek’s America’s …
When a newborn was diagnosed with meningitis, a life-threatening infection …
Delivering multiple babies is difficult, but Kaiser Permanente care teams …
Chris Hogan faced kidney cancer and prostate cancer at the same time. He …
Participate in a study to help uncover the causes of cancer and how to …
A young father is enjoying “bonus time” with his kids thanks to new targeted …
Patients like Carol Pitman are living longer thanks to advances in lung …
Meet the winners of our 2023 David Lawrence Community Service Award. Their …
All 39 of our participating hospitals receive top marks again for welcoming …
The first class graduates from the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School …
Fair360 names Kaiser Permanente to its Top 50 Hall of Fame for the seventh …
Feeling emotional or overwhelmed after a new baby’s arrival? You’re not …
Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, …
One in 5 people experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health …
It’s easy to put off recommended health screenings, and sometimes even …
Black Americans experience worse health outcomes compared to other populations …
Greg A. Adams, chair and chief executive officer of Kaiser Permanente, …
Lynch syndrome is a gene mutation that increases colon cancer risk. Learn …
Virtual cardiac rehab helped Mike Kelly heal at home after a life-threatening …
Kaiser Permanente’s award-winning nurses transform patient care and improve …
A healthy life after cancer is possible. Learn how Kaiser Permanente helps …
Kaiser Permanente is the top health insurer in the nation for affordability, …
Medical Financial Assistance program supports access to health care.
Kaiser Permanente excels in preventing, detecting, and treating kidney …
For Sam Beeson, having a midwife at her side during her pregnancy helped …
Colorado musician back with the band thanks to new virtual cardiac rehab …
A new Kaiser Permanente facility in Bellflower, California, makes customized …
Early detection of the disease, before it becomes advanced, will increase …
Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended for most people starting …
Care teams at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center helped Phillip Crawford …
Gabriel Abarca had no hope for his future. Then the team at Kaiser Permanente …
Innovative surgical recovery program helps breast cancer patients safely …
Tookie Gentilcore returns to enjoying life thanks to a quick, safe method …
People with diabetes are more likely to have heart disease.
The Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center becomes our 11th …
Kaiser Permanente’s Patient Advisory Councils help us create exceptional …
Following a COVID-19-related hospital stay, Robert DeLeon took charge of …
Members experiencing a low risk pregnancy have the option of having their …
Kaiser Permanente receives 5 out of 5 stars for overall quality of care …
Kaiser Permanente’s commercial and Medicare health plans are rated either …
A new care option offers a mix of in-person and virtual visits, supported …
Greg A. Adams; Maria Ansari, MD, FACC; and Ramin Davidoff, MD, have been …
From diagnosis to recovery, David Parsons, MD, shares how screening, treatment …
Andrew B. Bindman, MD, is executive vice president and chief medical officer …
As a lifelong nonsmoker, Mariann Stephens was shocked to learn she had …
Our Advanced Care at Home program provides high-quality, safe care in familiar …
A team of specialists treats an expecting mother’s cancer while keeping …
A child and adolescent psychiatrist shares tips on supporting your child …
Joy Short, a Kaiser Permanente member and employee, turned her breast cancer …
The prestigious Magnet® designation affirms the compassion, dedication, …
Fit and focused, an Oregon father and runner rebounds after an aortic valve …
For years, serious heart attacks meant hours of weekly appointments. Now, …
Members give video visits high marks — and with a few simple tips, you …
Our health plans are again rated among the nation’s best for overall treatment …
Kaiser Permanente’s adoption of disruptive technology in the 1970s sparked …
Our clinicians help patients get the care they need to move forward with …
Research and clinical trials play a vital role in advancing cancer treatment …
Kaiser Permanente is at the forefront of cervical cancer research. Find …
Students should study up on their care options to ace their school experience. …
After a diagnosis for a rare type of blood cancer, Marla Marriott got high-qua …
The Kaiser Permanente Southern California 2022 Community Health Snapshot …
Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center achieves coveted Magnet® …
Learn how lifestyle medicine is part of cancer care at Kaiser Permanente.
Fay Gordon's breast cancer was caught in the early stages thanks to genetic …
Tarayn Fairlie, MD, a pediatrician and lactation consultant, helps separate …
Michael West shares his incredible journey from diagnosis to treatment …
Many people with cancer experience depression and anxiety. Mental health …
Our members are more likely to feed their babies breast milk. And they’re …
Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center’s Bridge Program has become …
Doctor and mother of 3 Susan Brim received top-notch care after her lung …
Carter Shaver from Portland, Oregon, shares his optimistic smile after …
Help change the future of cancer prevention by joining Connect today.
Thanks to personalized care from a team of skilled doctors, Christina McAmis …
The Achievable Foundation recognized Kaiser Permanente for its work to …
Kaiser Permanente member Debbie Hoisch encourages people to know the warning …
Peer mentoring program matches new cancer patients with others who’ve gone …
Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center achieves Magnet status, the …
As a nonsmoker, Betty Schuldt’s stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis was surprising, …
Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center recognized by the Women’s Choice …