Safe, Effective Partnerships

Eagle Health Analytics’ (EHA) clinical investigation collaborators include the military, federal agencies, private industry leaders, and international sites. The wide array of resources in our portfolio allows us to support a variety of research projects including multisite assessments and longitudinal studies. EHA specializes in proof-of-concept, recognizes the importance of meeting all compliance standards, and consistently exceeds expectations.

HEALTHCARE DATA ANALYTICS

EHA managed an effort supporting the Air Force Medical Service’s (AFMS) Analytics division at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. The project team conducted studies, analysis, planning, program support, advising, and implemented necessary corrective actions in support of the following medical activities: resource management, health plan management, group practice management, and health systems design and delivery. The team provided technical expertise in support of data collection and processing, data aggregation and modeling, and data presentation in the form of dashboards, routine, and ad hoc reports. This included demonstrated experience and the ability to apply multiple organizational and management improvement techniques from government and commercial environments. A wide degree of creativity and latitude was utilized by the project team in performing analytics duties supporting DoD/Secretary of the Air Force taskers, Military Health System (MHS), Major Commands (MAJCOMs), Air Force Surgeon General’s Office, Air Force Medical Operations Agency (AFMOA), Air Force Medical Support Agency (AFMSA), Military Treatment Facility (MTF) Commanders, and other headquarter directorates with data‐driven research and analytical products.

MULTI-SITE CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS/CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (ME/CFS)

Myaglic Encephalitis (ME) / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating condition of unknown etiology and pathogenesis that can affect persons of all ages, genders, and races. EHA works with the CDC, Open Medicine Institute, NIH, and the Mayo Clinic to recruit clinical study participants and gather data for adult and pediatric populations affected by CFS. This multi-site assessment is ongoing and specifically evaluates participants for biologic linkages while ruling out other chronic conditions.

The CDC began this study to characterize adult patients with ME/CFS as identified in clinical practices of clinicians with expertise in ME/CFS, and the ongoing study has been carried out in stages with rolling cohorts: ME/CFS, healthy controls, and patients with other chronic illnesses. This requirement is to collect additional data on patients with other chronic illnesses as ill comparison/control of ME/CFS patients; it also allows the government to have sufficient data to examine the similarities and differences between ME/CFS patients and patients with other chronic illnesses.

The approach to the study of adolescents with ME/CFS was previously delineated and approved; EHA supports a contract that supplements the sample sizes of adolescents, as needed, for currently planned descriptive analyses. The current study uses a similar standardized approach to collect data on the key dimensions of the illness as employed in the Multi-site Clinical Assessment of CFS in Adults and the Multi-site Clinical Assessment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in Children and Adolescents. 

Identification of ME/CFS occurring among adolescents informs further discussions of case definitions and provides information on potential ME/CFS sub-groups that could be evaluated for linkage to specific biologic measures.

LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF BIRTH DEFECTS AND NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH CONGENITAL ZIKA VIRUS INFECTION

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can lead to severe birth defects affecting neonatal neurological and optic development. Infection may also lead to neurodevelopmental disabilities including, but not limited to, seizures, vision defects and hearing loss. Zika infections remain a risk in populations where women or their partners live or travel to areas with active transmission of the Zika virus.

EHA works with the CDC, National Associate of County and City Health Officials, Public Health Informatics Institute, and the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia to conduct longitudinal research investigating the effects and outcomes of congenital Zika virus infection in endemic areas.

Population data is drawn from cases of laboratory-confirmed Zika infection and suspected cases identified through clinical assessment of the infant; data is controlled against respective birth cohorts. This requirement collects and processes data from state, city, and local health departments domestically, in US territories and freely associated states. Expected outcomes include improved understanding of the impacts of Zika virus infection, the prevalence of adverse outcomes from infection and sufficient data to provide Zika virus infection surveillance from local birth defects data.

IRON DEFICIENCY-EVALUATION OF STANDARD CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR SUSTAINING STATUS IN FEMALE WARRIORS

EHA provides professional Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) services in support of the Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) Enterprise of the clinical and translational research activities for the USAF 59th Science & Technology Wing.

Women participating in intensive training environments are subject to significantly decreased iron stores and are at increased risk for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia compared to male counterparts undergoing the same training. EHA works with our military partners to develop guidelines for iron deficiency screening and treatment protocols in female soldiers reporting to and participating in Basic Military Training (BMT).

This clinical study is designed to evaluate the application of a clinical practice guideline that was developed by the PI. The guideline outlines the timing of iron screening (hemoglobin, mean corpuscle volume, red blood cell volume distribution width, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation, and iron). The guideline recommends screening before arrival to Basic Military Training (BMT) or within the first week of training, four weeks after the start of training, then every four week while in physically demanding environments (e.g., women who follow-on at security forces, special operations). To minimize the incidence of iron deficiency or anemia, female Air Force trainees are offered prenatal vitamins and all trainees are offered a vitamin and mineral-rich snack bar at bedtime. However, there is no data to determine the effect of these interventions on iron status. This study supports the basic research to provide insights that will prove better clinical interventions into Iron deficiency in women that participate in intense training exercises.

The 59th Medical Wing (59 MDW) is a forward operating Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) Execution Platform in support of the Headquarters United States Air Force Surgeon General (HQ USAF/SG). The 59MDW, Science and Technology (ST) office advises and conducts clinical and translational research under the guidance of the Air Force Surgeon General (AF/SG), the Secretary of the Air Force (SAF), Air Force Chief of Staff, and the Office of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD/HA) on matters pertaining to the medical aspects of the Air Expeditionary Force and the health of Air Force (AF) personnel and beneficiaries.