The challenge we’re solving

A small number of patients – known as high users – account for a disproportionately high volume of emergency department visits. These individuals often have complex medical and social needs, but health systems aren’t always equipped to manage their care proactively. This leads to repeated emergency visits, overburdened hospitals, and fragmented care.

HUMAI builds on the work of the High Users Resolution Group (GRHU), a case management program led by Garcia de Orta Hospital and the Almada-Seixal Health Centre Group, which supports individuals who visit the ER 10 or more times per year. To support GRHU and scale its impact, we are developing an AI-assisted platform that will:

  • Support efficient patient monitoring.
  • Integrate advanced AI technologies.
  • Help optimise hospital resource allocation.

Project partners

Project goals

  1. Build and test a digital platform to support personalized case management of high users (HU) in emergency departments.
  2. Co-design, develop, and evaluate the platform in collaboration with the GRHU team to ensure clinical and operational relevance.
  3. Develop AI-driven models to identify potential high users early, predict individual risk, and prioritize interventions.
  4. Provide data-informed decision-making tools to support healthcare professionals in tailoring care.
  5. Measure the impact and value of GRHU interventions across stakeholders, combining patient outcomes and treatment cost data.
  6. Offer insights for scalable, citizen-centred healthcare models that improve care and optimise hospital resource use.

Our role

At VOH.CoLAB, we’re responsible for:

  • Designing and developing the case management support platform.
  • Leading the creation of the impact assessment framework.
  • Applying AI algorithms and participatory methodologies to personalize interventions.
  • Coordinating work across technical, clinical, and research partners.
  • Ensuring the platform is designed with end-user input and aligned with value-based care principles.

Lead researcher at VOH

Federico Guede, PhD

Head of AI-based Multimodal Systems

The impact we hope to create

  • A fully functional AI-powered platform to support the personalised management of high users in emergency departments.
  • Earlier identification of patients at risk of repeated ER use.
  • Improved efficiency and coordination in case management workflows.
  • Reduction in avoidable ER visits and hospital strain.
  • Enhanced patient outcomes and safety through targeted, proactive interventions.
  • A clear impact assessment framework to measure effectiveness, cost-benefit, and scalability.
  • Scalable tools and insights that can inform national emergency care strategies.