How IntelliSpace Cognition can support social distancing

Many medical practitioners, including neurologists and neuropsychologists, are using telehealth in the current environment to reduce in person interaction and limit risk of infection for themselves, their staff, and their patients, many of whom are seniors at high risk of complications from COVID-19.
 

Computerized cognitive testing has become even more relevant in this environment of increased infection risk.  Philips IntelliSpace Cognition, a new digital cognitive assessment tool, enables:

• Increased access by making cognitive testing available sooner and to more patients than a full neuropsychological assessment (which can take 8-12 weeks from referral to results)
• Decreased cost by using a cost-effective assessment process to provide actionable information upfront that can help neurologists decide which patients would benefit from a referral for  additional neuropsychological testing
• Enhanced provider decision making and increased confidence in recommending next steps in the diagnosis and treatment based on having more cognitive data quickly

• Productivity- Since many medical practices have shut down during the health crisis, they are now backed up, and may even have additional demand for services from COVID-19 patients with neurological complications.  Innovations that can enhance productivity may help get through the backlog more efficiently. 
  
• Stop passing papers back and forth- ISC is delivered on an iPad Pro which is given to the patient, who completes the assessment with minimal supervision from a medical professional.  The results are sent securely to the cloud.
• Remote access:  Physicians can access their ISC account and develop a treatment plan from any device, wherever they are.  They can also confer with the patient about results and next steps via a telehealth solution.
• Socially distanced assessment- A medical assistant or other medical professional can supervise the testing from appropriate distance with little intervention. Physical space can be organized to protect patients and staff (e.g. a clear plexi-glass wall can separate medical assistant from patient; masks and gloves can be worn during assessment).
• Cleaning and disinfection- The patient space and iPad Pro can be cleaned and disinfected between patients.  Apple’s guidance on cleaning is here.

Can patients do the assessment from home?

While social distancing can be implemented in an in-office assessment and telehealth can be utilized for consultations between clinicians and patients, there are concerns related to moving a cognitive assessment to the home environment without supervision by a medical professional.   IntelliSpace Cognition recommends supervision by a medical professional and requires the use of the iPad Pro during the assessment.  Before adopting any solution that says it can be used in the home, we recommend you consider these concerns:

1. The device, or platform.

 ISC on the 12.9 inch iPad Pro has been shown to be easy to use by seniors, even those without technology expertise.  In addition, the size of the iPad Pro resembles the paper and pencil format that the tests were derived from and the ISC tests have been validated and normed to show similar results. For any assessment tool, putting it on a PC or mobile format that it was not validated and normed on could cause errors in the results.  

2. The supervision or interaction happening in the home.  

Whether it’s turning on a device, getting appropriate help if needed, or even having difficulty with a test due to cognitive status, issues may occur depending on the age, technology savvy, or cognitive status of the patient.  If more or less guidance than intended is provided, then the test results lose accuracy.      

In summary, in pursuing accurate results and the most appropriate next steps for patients, Philips ISC recommends: