Tempus and Northwestern Medicine have announced a collaboration to integrate artificial intelligence into clinical care and research. The initiative will initially focus on cardiovascular conditions through the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute.
Eric Lefkofsky, CEO and Founder of Tempus, stated, "As we navigate the complex landscape of healthcare, this collaboration between Tempus and Northwestern Medicine underscores an alliance in revolutionizing patient care through AI-enabled methods." He emphasized that the partnership aims to improve outcomes, accelerate diagnoses, and create personalized treatment plans by utilizing data-driven insights.
The project involves deploying Tempus' technology within Northwestern's cardiology teams to identify patients at risk for atrial fibrillation (AFib) or seven structural heart diseases. These include conditions related to mitral, aortic, and tricuspid valves, as well as abnormal heart function and thickening. Northwestern Medicine is the first provider to use Tempus’ ECG-AF algorithm clinically. This FDA-cleared device uses AI to analyze 12-lead electrocardiogram recordings for signs of AFib risk within a year. Patients identified by this method can be referred for further evaluation.
Howard Chrisman, MD, president and CEO of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare said, “Northwestern Medicine is committed to applying innovative technologies to improve patient care." He added that artificial intelligence could transform healthcare but requires collaborative efforts for safe and ethical deployment in research and patient care.
Northwestern Medicine provides access to advanced care across 11 hospitals and over 200 sites. Its flagship facility, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, has been recognized on the Best Hospital Honor Roll by U.S. News & World Report for 13 years consecutively.
