Our Mission
Located in Silicon Valley, the National Center for Collaborative Healthcare Innovation (NCCHI) collaborates broadly with industry partners, other government agencies, academia, and throughout VA to create a far-reaching positive impact on Veteran care. NCCHI is translating complex technologies from the research bench to the clinical bedside.
NCCHI is driven to bring our Veterans the best and most advanced healthcare possible. With groundbreaking collaborative partnerships and cutting-edge technology, NCCHI focuses on enhancing healthcare delivery at VA and in the broader healthcare community.
Innovative Sensor Technology
Fall Prevention e-Wearable
Falls are costly and common, causing more extended hospital stays and increased care expenses. NCCHI and Palarum developed a wireless SmartSock system. It detects falls and alerts nurses promptly, improving patient safety and clinical response.
Smart White Cane
NCCHI collaborates with Brian Higgins, a retired VA employee, and Veteran, to develop a revolutionary smart cane for visually impaired individuals. The smart cane, equipped with advanced sensors, such as LIDAR and ultrasound, enhances mobility and navigation, offering increased freedom, safety, and independence.
Digital Twin
(NCCHI) is utilizing drone technology to create a digital twin of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. The digital twin is a virtual replica of the physical environment, which can be used to simulate various scenarios and predict outcomes. The drones capture high-resolution images and data, which is processed using advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms. This enables the VA Palo Alto Health Care System to improve patient care, optimize resource utilization, and enhance operational efficiency. For example, the digital twin can be used to identify potential safety hazards, plan and test emergency response procedures, and optimize the layout of facilities. Overall, the use of drone technology and the creation of a digital twin has the potential to transform the way healthcare systems operate, and NCCHI is at the forefront of this innovation.
Expertise on Demand
Because of NCCHI's collaborative work with Verizon, VA Palo Alto has become the first full spectrum 5G hospital in the world. The advanced 5G communications and data infrastructure allows us to enhance current healthcare solutions as well as develop and deploy new groundbreaking healthcare technology that would not otherwise be possible.
AR and VR for Clinical Training
5G + augmented reality enables interactive virtual teaching & training. Remote groups learn and share medical insights. Dynamic 3D holographic anatomy models enhance virtual procedures. NCCHI has projects to improve medical training for students and professionals.
AR for Procedural Guidance
3D holograms of patient scans offer virtual X-ray vision, revolutionizing surgeries. 5G's low latency enhances visual awareness for precise procedures. NCCHI and collaborators optimize this transformational tech for enhanced Veteran surgeries.
Advanced Analytics
The Advanced Analytics team leverages big data, artificial intelligence, and statistical methods to develop analytic tools using electronic health records. The team's projects spans from improving patient outcomes to advancing preventive care, tackling complex health challenges such as female infertility, identifying and predicting inpatient falls, and understanding environmental impacts on Veteran health.
Data Extraction
Utilizing national databases to extract, transform, and integrate data aimed at enhancing the treatment and care provided to Veterans.
Statistical Analysis
Applying advanced statistical analysis techniques to forecast patient outcomes, uncover subtle clinical trends, and explore environmental impacts on Veteran health.
LLM/AI
Leveraging LLM and AI to extract relevant clinical data from unstructured clinical notes, anticipate adverse clinical events, and enhancing healthcare decision-making processes with actional insights.
Advanced Sensor Enabled Drones for Emergent Response
5G and connected tech improve facility situational awareness. NCCHI partners with VA departments to enhance emergency response, security, and routine inspections.
Our Publications
Featured Article
Trends in Heat Related Illness: Nationwide Observational Cohort at the US Department of Veteran Affairs
First Full Spectrum 5G Hospital at VA Palo Alto Health Care System Will Empower Unprecedented Care for Veterans
Assessment of a wearable fall prevention system at a veterans health administration hospital
Our Team
Thomas Osborne, M.D.
Director
David Arreola, MCSE
Deputy Director of Operations
Zachary Veigulis, MS
Chief Data Scientist
Ilya Vrublevskiy
Project Manager
Anna Ware, MPH
Healthcare Data Scientist
Terri Blumke
Healthcare Data Scientist
Peter Hoover
Healthcare Data Scientist
Brian Higgins
Innovator
Malvika Pillai, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Awards
