ACG System v13.0.4 and v14.0.2 Release Update

This product version delivers security and platform maintenance updates, improves Red Hat FIPS compatibility and enhances a specific aspect of Patient Need Group (PNG) classification logic. If you are an ACG^® System client, please refer to the full release notes for detailed information via the client access portal on our website or from your distributor. We thank the ACG System users who reported an enhancement opportunity in the “Patient Need Groups” report that affected how some patients were classified.

Upon review, we found that a very small percentage of patients (0.005%) from a large representative data set who are diagnosed with epilepsy and who take sodium valproate were assigned to the “behavioral health” Patient Need Group (PNG-08). This occurred because sodium valproate is prescribed to treat both epilepsy and behavioral health conditions. While the ACG System is intended for use by clinicians and health care leaders, we are aware that some patients may be seeing this in their clinical record. Release v13.0.4 and 14.0.2 updates the grouping rules so that a prescription for sodium valproate alone will no longer cause a patient with an epilepsy diagnosis to be placed in the behavioral health group.

Patient Need Groups are intended to help clinicians and health care leaders understand patient population needs and risks; they are not medical diagnoses or treatment recommendations and are not designed for patient-facing use. We encourage users who integrate analytic output with patient portals or provider apps to follow local guidelines regarding presentation of information to patients to avoid concern or confusion.

ACG System clients and users are key partners in the ongoing maintenance and development of the ACG System and their feedback ensures the product is continually refined and improved for real-world use.