Bausch + Lomb, Lochan Develop Clinical Decision Support Software

Eye health company Bausch + Lomb announced an agreement with software development company Lochan to develop the next generation of eyeTELLIGENCE, Bausch + Lomb’s clinical decision support software.

The cloud-based analytical software, originally launched by Bausch + Lomb in 2018, allows ophthalmologists to streamline complex surgery processes and enables efficient care. The first phase of the next-generation clinical decision support software is expected to launch in 2022.

The partnership will add Lochan’s artificial intelligence and analytics expertise to Bausch + Lomb’s existing platform in order to organize data and increase efficiency for surgeons.  

"Similar to what is being seen across the entire health care spectrum, ophthalmologists are under tremendous pressure to find ways to increase their efficiency and optimize workflow while continuing to deliver the highest level of patient care. The need for solutions that help them pursue this goal is massive," explained Joseph Gordon, US president of Bausch + Lomb, in the announcement.

"In 2018, we started our journey to deliver on this need when we became the first company to connect the operating room to the cloud using our eyeTELLIGENCE technology. The agreement with Lochan propels us into the next phase of this journey to further enhance surgeon's ability to improve practice efficiency."

Between treatment and surgery planning, diagnostics, and cataract, refractive, and retinal surgeries, ophthalmologists must manually transfer data, often leading to errors and wasted time. The new software aims to connect all these elements, allowing for a more streamlined and simplified experience and less room for human error.

"As a practicing surgeon, I have experienced first-hand the disconnect that exists between the different phases of the surgical planning process and the lack of interconnectivity between technologies that we use," said Mark Lobanoff, MD, founder of Lochan and director of refractive surgery at the North Suburban Eye Specialists in Minneapolis, MN, in the announcement.

The partnership points the growing need for data management and more efficient digital systems throughout the healthcare industry. Clinical decision support systems, often integrated into EHR systems, can equip providers with user-friendly and streamlined decision-making tools when fed large amounts of clinical data.

While these tools can be revolutionary for some, constant EHR alerts can be a burden to physicians with poorly implemented clinical decision support systems. Frustration with EHR and clinical decision support systems are a leading cause of physician burnout. A recent survey found that 58 percent of clinician respondents reported often or always experiencing feelings of burnout.

Physician burnout is on the rise, and the healthcare industry is facing a physician shortage. A recent survey found that approximately 70 percent of physicians reported feeling disengaged from their employers, and 54 percent were planning on making an employment change as of March 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has put additional strain on physicians and the industry as a whole.

Effective clinical decision support systems may have the ability to increase physician retention and decrease administrative burdens and stress caused by the vast amounts of data that providers have at their disposal. In addition, streamlining care digitally maximizes efficiency and ensures that providers have the information they need at the time they need it.