A Cloud-Based Service for Electronic Auscultation Screening for Newborns Congenital Heart Defects

Every year more than 6000 (1.3%) babies are born in Ukraine with congenital heart disease (CHD). The current CHD detection approach is based on ultrasound diagnostics which in Ukraine is not available in the majority of hospitals due to both the lack of experience from healthcare professionals and a high cost of ultrasound machines. This project aims at developing a simple-to-use cloud-based medical software which will provide an objective support in clinical decision making by analyzing heart sounds captured by means of electronic stethoscopes soon after birth. This solution will provide fast and accurate diagnosis of CHD cases resulting in timely treatment and reduction of the child mortality rate in Ukraine. The integrated value of the proposed solution lies in its technological innovation, its cost effectiveness (the affordability of electronic stethoscopes to public hospitals) and its sustainability (affordable screening price for parents, simplicity in use for doctors, open-source software licensing). The project brings together the interests of consumers, public hospitals, private medical centers, insurance companies and government. Addressing newborn and child health this technology will allow to save up to 200 and improve up to 5000 children’s lives in Ukraine annually. The Project will contribute to the ongoing state programs "Reproductive Health of the Nation" and "Health - 2020: Ukrainian Dimension", which aim at reducing infant mortality by 20%.