FridayOL

The Philippine healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by innovations in technology and a growing focus on patient outcomes. However, harnessing the power of healthcare data remains a significant challenge. In this exclusive interview, we speak with Miruna Sasu, President and CEO of COTA Healthcare, a pioneering platform transforming how healthcare organizations utilize clinical data.

COTA Healthcare addresses a critical need: the vast amounts of valuable information locked within electronic medical records (EMRs). These records, while essential for patient care, often contain unstructured data—clinical notes—that are difficult to analyze and leverage for research, development, and improvement of healthcare services. COTA’s innovative platform tackles this problem head-on.

The Data Dilemma: Untapped Potential

“Healthcare organizations are sitting on a goldmine of data,” explains Sasu. “But that data is often trapped in a format that’s difficult to extract and interpret. This limits their ability to identify trends, improve care pathways, and ultimately, enhance patient health.” The Philippines, with its unique healthcare challenges and opportunities, stands to benefit significantly from better data utilization.

How COTA Healthcare Provides the Solution

COTA’s platform works by seamlessly integrating with existing EMR systems. It then employs sophisticated natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to pull data from these records, meticulously clean and standardize the clinical notes, and then return the processed data to healthcare organizations in a usable format. This allows researchers, clinicians, and administrators to easily access and analyze the information they need.

Benefits for Philippine Healthcare

• Improved Clinical Research: Researchers can access more comprehensive and reliable data to conduct studies and develop new treatments.
• Enhanced Patient Care: Data-driven insights can inform clinical decision-making and lead to more personalized and effective care.
• Optimized Healthcare Operations: Analyzing data can identify areas for improvement in efficiency and resource allocation.
• Accelerated Innovation: Access to clean, structured data can accelerate the development of new healthcare technologies and solutions tailored to the Philippine context.

Addressing Local Challenges

Sasu acknowledges the specific challenges facing the Philippine healthcare system, including variations in data standards and infrastructure. “We understand that implementing new technologies requires careful consideration of local context. COTA is committed to working closely with Philippine healthcare providers to ensure our platform integrates seamlessly and delivers tangible value.”

The Future of Healthcare Data in the Philippines

COTA Healthcare’s work highlights the growing importance of data analytics in transforming healthcare. As the Philippines continues to invest in digital health initiatives, platforms like COTA will play a crucial role in unlocking the full potential of healthcare data, ultimately leading to a healthier and more efficient healthcare system for all Filipinos. The future of healthcare is data-driven, and COTA is leading the charge in making that future a reality.