Prognostics & artificial neural network applications in patient healthcare

The ability to predict patient health condition and possible complications that develop during their hospital stay can improve patient safety, quality of care, reduce medical costs and save lives. Prognostics methods using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) promise to deliver new insight into managing patient health complications more effectively. This paper examines the feasibility of training ANN to predict cases of Deep Vein Thrombosis/Pulmonary Embolism (DVT/PE), a condition that causes severe medical problems and even death. The process and results of using ANN models to predict (DVT/PE) are discussed. Future areas of research where ANN models can be used as a prognostics tool to more effectively predict patient health conditions are discussed.