Trump Administration Defunds Death Risk Reducing Hospital AI System

An artificial intelligence (AI) system modeled on how nurses observe patients has demonstrated an astonishing ability to reduce hospital mortality. Despite its success, the project's future hangs in the balance due to an abrupt withdrawal of federal funding.

AI That Listens to the Nurses' Voice

Developed through a collaboration of health system leaders and technology experts, an AI tool known as CONCERN (COmmunicating Narrative Concerns Entered by RNs) is a new type of clinical early warning system. Instead of depending solely on vital signs and lab results, CONCERN mines the narrative notes entered by registered nurses in patients' electronic health records.

These notes—often dismissed as anecdotal—capture the nuanced, experiential insights that nurses accumulate through continuous bedside interaction. CONCERN analyzes patterns such as unexpected assessments, increased monitoring, and subtle changes in behavior that often precede physiological deterioration.

The Results: A Life-Saving Breakthrough

A study published in Nature Medicine examined CONCERN’s efficacy. Spanning over 60,000 patient encounters across 74 clinical units in two major health systems, it found dramatic improvements in outcomes when the AI was deployed:

• 35.6% reduction in all-cause hospital mortality
• 11.2% shorter hospital stays
• 7.5% lower incidence of sepsis

Nurses and physicians report that the system enhances rather than overrides clinical judgment. It prompts earlier interdisciplinary conversations and helps prioritize patient care with a shared understanding of risk.

CONCERN AI Funding Pulled

Despite its validated success and potential to expand into pediatric care, the CONCERN project recently received a severe blow: a critical grant renewal from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality was unexpectedly denied when the Trump administration withdrew $400 million in funding from Columbia University.

While the agency has not commented in detail, the project's leaders suggest the decision stemmed more from shifting political priorities than from any deficiency in the program itself. 

What’s Next?

Despite the setback, the CONCERN team remains hopeful. They are seeking alternative funding sources and are advocating for broader awareness of the project’s impact. With the rise of AI in medicine, CONCERN may serve as a template for tools that enhance, rather than replace, human judgment, especially in the hands of healthcare professionals who know patients best.

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