The University of Iowa Health Care (UIHC) recently became the first U.S. health system to implement IDx-DR in the diabetes care setting. IDx-DR is a a U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved artificial intelligence (AI) device that automatically detects more than mild diabetic retinopathy in adults diagnosed with diabetes who have not been previously diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy.
In April, IDx-DR—which is developed by IDx—became the first medical device to be approved by the FDA for screening decisions without requiring a specialist to interpret the results. Diabatic retinopathy occurs when blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to a variety of issues, including swelling, leaking, and even loss of vision. Now that the software is used by UIHC, clinical professionals there who typically are not involved in eye care can still complete peoples’ annual diabetic retinopathy screenings.
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics operates an academic medical center and a regional referral center in Iowa. Its services include allergy and immunology, dentistry, dermatology, emergency, endocrinology, family medicine, and numerous other services.
This was reported by Becker’s Health IT & CIO Report on June 26, 2018.
Contact Information: University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, Iowa 52242; (800) 777-8442; www.uihc.org
