Comment by the__alchemist 2 months ago
More data with appropriate confidence intervals can always be leveraged for good. I hear this application often in medical systems, and recognize the practical impact. The problem is incorrect use of this knowledge (eg to overtreat); not having the knowledge.
I suspect we are on the same page. My point is in regards to using information as described in the article to improve the system. I do not think an on/off "alarm" is the way to do this. The key is to use information from signal processing theory (eg how a Kalman filter updates) to provide input into what medical action to take. The reactions against more diagnostics etc is due to how they are applied, like a brute force alarm, leading to worse outcomes through, for example, unnecessary surgeries etc.
The reduction I am arguing against is: "Historically, extra information and diagnostics that have an error margin results in worse outcomes because we misapply it; therefore don't build these systems."
No, the problem is information overload. Even without these errors nurses are often overburdened with work and paperwork. Adding another alarm, with a >50% false positive rate is going to make that situation worse. And the nurses will start ignoring the unreliable warning.