APL Applies Its Expertise to Maryland Company

For Immediate Release
April 28, 2000

Media Contact:
Dee Reese
(240) 228-5618
[email protected]

Kristi Marren
(240) 228-6268
[email protected]

APL Applies its Expertise to Maryland Company

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), in Laurel, Md., recently signed a technology transfer and development agreement with Timonium-based FutureHealth Corporation, licensing APL's expertise in automated and knowledge-intensive systems to automate some of FutureHealth's proprietary business operations.

FutureHealth, a medical risk management company, supplies a service to insurance companies and self-insured employers that identifies the highest risk portion of the population and manages their compliance with medical treatment, in part, through their proprietary RiskScreen and HealthModels software systems.

APL's expertise in automated and knowledge-intensive systems stems from years of experience automating government-based diagnostic systems for machinery and equipment. Through a multiphase effort beginning in May, APL will apply this knowledge and expertise to the process of automating one of FutureHealth's business practices. The automated model is focused on enabling rapid, low-cost, consistent, and traceable application of the corporation's knowledge to manage patients at risk for clinical deterioration and/or increased utilization. Specifically, APL will automate FutureHealth's proprietary software models that nurses use to assess and manage at-risk patients.

"APL's advanced applications will automate our process in a way that will give us significant strategic advantages over competitors and improve service to the patient and customer," says Claire Rosse, president of FutureHealth.

"This license and technology development agreement is a perfect example of how APL can apply its technology and expertise to the needs of local and regional businesses in a project in which everyone benefits," says Wayne Swann, director of APL's Office of Technology Transfer.

APL's Office of Technology Transfer was established in July 1999 to facilitate the transfer of APL-developed technology to business and industry to benefit the public.
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The Applied Physics Laboratory is a not-for-profit laboratory and division of The Johns Hopkins University. APL conducts research and development primarily for national security and for nondefense projects of national and global significance. APL is located midway between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., in Laurel, Md.