Picture this: a hackathon hall alive with excitement, yet we couldn't shake off a touch of morning lethargy on a regular Saturday. Brought to you by Arnav Mubrakar, Akash Puzhakkal, Anay Kothana, and Pratham Pilli, we are SynthSense, and our journey kicked off fueled by ambition, creativity, and a bit of naivety. Inspired by NJ Transit's challenge at the annual HackRU, a pivotal decision loomed to transition from web to mobile app development, showcasing adaptability and quick decision-making. Our award-winning app, designed for bus services, seamlessly integrated user inputs, routes, and an AI-driven one-day trip planner. Building on this success, we ventured into the health-tech realm at HackHealth, developing MinDerva — a project that caught the attention of industry mentor Andrew Gordon. Under Andrew's guidance, our newly formed startup, SynthSense, secured a spot in the National Science Foundation's I-Corps program, receiving a $3,000 grant. Now poised to attend the Consumer Electronic Showcase in Las Vegas, SynthSense's journey is a testament to resilience, collaboration, and the boundless potential of youthful innovation in the startup and app development landscape.
Imagine an elderly patient like Grandma admitted for a UTI, experiencing delirium, leading to falls, agitation, and an ICU transfer. This scenario, caused by delirium, affecting 20-29% of older patients, is common, with significant implications for patient care and hospital resources.
Delirium affects 7 million patients annually, costing an additional $50,000 per patient. Hospital stays are extended by 3.45 days, contributing to a $6-$80 billion burden on CMS in 2019. MinDerva, aims to address this issue with targeted interventions and potential savings.
MinDerva, an evidence-based application, tackles delirium through interactive day modes and computer-vision-based night modes. This approach engages patients, maintains circadian rhythms, and detects agitation, offering a comprehensive solution.
MinDerva's implementation involves nurse-initiated setup, family content uploads, and patient eligibility based on admission criteria. Potential savings are substantial, with $10,000 per delirious patient, translating to $142 million at a single large tertiary care center.
MinDerva's market strategy involves a subscription-based licensing model at $50/day per patient. The initial implementation at RWJUH shows potential savings of $675 million annually with a national rollout. Future developments include home versions and integration with electronic medical records (EMR).
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