Super Computer Could Potentially Save Lives as Well as Predict Patients' Imminent Demise

A super computer developed in the US can predict the likelihood of a person's death with almost 100 percent accuracy. The machine, installed at Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, draws on the data of more than 250,000 people collected over a period of 30 years to make speedy diagnoses. The machine's ability to speedy disease recognition could potentially save lives as well as predict patients' imminent demise, the report added.

"Our goal is not to replace the clinician. This artificial intelligence is really about the augmenting of doctors' ability to take care of patients," Steve Horng, a doctor at the hospital, was quoted as telling BBC.

Patients at the hospital are linked up to the super computer which collects and analyses data about their condition every three minutes, measuring everything from oxygen levels to blood pressure to give doctors "everything we need to know about a patient".

When the computer says no, doctors can "predict with 96 percent confidence" when patients may die.

"If the computer says you're going to die, you probably will die in the next 30 days," Horng said.

Source-IANS