Digital Diagnostics and Baxter International Inc. announced a long-term strategic partnership to help front line care providers deliver high-quality care and improve care outcomes. The partnership includes plans to offer Digital Diagnostics’ industry-leading IDx-DR® autonomous AI software as a diagnostic service combined with the Welch Allyn® RetinaVue® 700 Imager.
Digital Diagnostics created IDx-DR, the autonomous AI diagnostic system for the detection of diabetic retinopathy (including diabetic macular edema) at the point-of-care. Only 15% of people with diabetes receive the recommended annual diabetic eye exam.1,2 Access to effective diagnostic services is an obstacle, especially in rural or underserved areas. It leaves many with undiagnosed and untreated levels of disease, and a higher risk of consequent visual loss and blindness, as is recognized by the strict HEDIS/MIPS requirements for the diabetic eye exam.3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
“Primary care providers want access to the latest diagnostic tools so that testing can be offered during office visits and easily incorporated into existing workflows,” said Giuseppe Accogli, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Baxter. “The combination of artificial intelligence and our devices can give providers a clear view of what’s going on with their patients, uncovering information that is valuable for treatment plans. Our partnership with Digital Diagnostics is integral in expanding our connected care diagnostics portfolio.”
“This partnership has the potential to dramatically increase the number of patients who benefit from point-of-care diagnosis,” said Seth Rainford, President, COO and Co-founder of Digital Diagnostics. “We are on a mission to create greater access to healthcare by removing barriers to the process and are pleased that our technology may help save the eyesight of patients suffering from diabetes.”
The RetinaVue 700 Imager, which is currently available for use in the U.S., offers primary care providers a simple and affordable way to administer retinal exams during office visits. Together with the RetinaVue Care Delivery Model, the RetinaVue 700 Imager has been used to test more than one million patients, with automated features that make it easy to capture high-quality images in office. The device can be seamlessly integrated into clinical workflows, including connecting to the practice’s electronic medical record (EMR) system. Image transfers are protected with SOC-2 certified software.
FDA clearance of the use of IDx-DR with the RetinaVue 700 Imager is expected by early 2023. The agreement between Baxter and Digital Diagnostics is exclusive in the U.S. and non-exclusive outside the U.S.
The Welch Allyn product family is now a part of Baxter’s global medical technology portfolio, following Baxter’s acquisition of Hillrom in late 2021.