C8 Health started with an AI that gives anesthesiologists guidance on demand — now it’s targeting whole hospitals

In the realm of healthcare, precision is paramount, and the stakes couldn't be higher. The multitude of professionals involved in patient care—ranging from doctors and nurses to support staff—must adhere to stringent guidelines and best practices to maintain a safe hospital environment. However, the challenge lies in the fragmented nature of information access, as vital resources are often scattered across various platforms like SharePoint, Smart Vault, and Docuware. New York City-based startup C8 Health has identified this disconnect as a staggering $345 billion issue within the healthcare sector. Dr. Ido Zamberg, C8’s Chief Medical Officer and an experienced anesthesiologist, recalls the frustration he faced in accessing crucial data during his medical practice. "In a field so knowledge-intensive, it felt absurd to have to search across 10 or 15 different systems just to find an answer," he remarked during a recent interview. C8 Health, which initially aimed to support anesthesiologists with immediate access to clinical knowledge, is now evolving its mission. The company has developed an AI-powered chatbot and knowledge platform to streamline access to clinical best practices. "Our platform ensures knowledge is always accessible—whether on mobile, desktop, or integrated within Electronic Medical Records (EMR)—eliminating the waste of time spent searching across multiple systems," said CEO and co-founder Galia Rosen Schwarz. With a recent $12 million Series A funding round led by Team8, C8 Health is set to expand its operations across the U.S. healthcare landscape, bringing its total capital raised to $18 million. The funding will enhance the team's capabilities, refine the platform, and address the increasing demand from hospitals seeking improved care delivery standards. Founded in 2022, C8 Health confronts a significant challenge in the healthcare system: ensuring that evidence-based practices are readily available to all caregivers, regardless of their shift schedule or experience level. "In many hospitals, protocols are still printed out and taped to the walls," Dr. Zamberg explained, highlighting the outdated methods still in use. Initially developed as a solution for the anesthesiology department, the platform has quickly gained traction, now serving over 100 hospitals in the U.S. and 13,000 employees across five hospitals in Switzerland. Major clients include Dartmouth Health, Mount Sinai, Metro Health, and the University of Texas Medical Branch. C8 Health’s innovative platform centralizes clinical guidance—policies, protocols, and educational resources—making them instantly accessible in a user-friendly format tailored to individual clinicians’ roles and schedules. The platform’s engaging interface, featuring a friendly red panda avatar, not only allows users to search for information but also proactively delivers relevant protocols based on behavioral patterns and performance metrics. Dr. Luis Tollinche, Chair of Anesthesiology at Metro Health, described the pre-C8 scenario as chaotic, with protocols spread across various platforms. Post-implementation, the hospital saw over 750 knowledge items centralized, with users engaging with the platform an average of 3.49 times daily, primarily through mobile devices. C8 Health also integrates performance data into its interface, enabling clinicians to assess their performance against departmental goals and receive real-time guidance for improvement. This innovative approach allows for immediate feedback, shifting the focus from retrospective analysis to proactive quality enhancement. Unlike generic software solutions, C8’s platform is specifically designed for the fast-paced and fragmented environment of modern healthcare. Its proprietary technology ensures that clinical knowledge is not only accessible but also reliable and relevant to each user’s specific needs. With plans to deepen existing client relationships and expand into outpatient and urgent care settings, C8 Health is on a mission to redefine how healthcare professionals access critical knowledge. As Galia Rosen Schwarz noted, "Clinicians need knowledge instantly, often at 3 a.m. in the OR. They don’t have time to wonder which app or drive might have the answer—that delay can lead to errors." Sarit Firon, Managing Partner at Team8, emphasized that C8 Health is addressing a genuine pain point in healthcare, positioning the company as a crucial player in enhancing care quality management as clinical workflows become increasingly complex.