Artificial intelligence (AI) is not just a concept of the future, but a reality that is already saving lives every day within the National Health Service (NHS). With the support of £21 million from the government, AI-driven technology is being used to transform healthcare in the UK.
One of the key advantages of the NHS is the massive amount of data it generates, treating almost 1.3 million patients daily. This data serves as a valuable resource for AI systems to learn and optimize their performance. Tara Donnelly, the former chief digital officer of NHS England and founder of health advisory firm Digital Care, explained that the diversity of the UK’s population makes it an ideal place to train AI for healthcare purposes.
Exciting developments in AI are already making a difference in various areas of healthcare. For instance, the AI system at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London accurately recommends referrals for over 50 eye diseases, matching the accuracy of world-leading eye experts.
In stroke diagnosis, cutting-edge AI technology called The Brainomix is being employed in 11 stroke networks across the country. This system uses AI algorithms to assess brain scans rapidly, saving precious minutes in the time-sensitive diagnosis of stroke. This approach has tripled the number of stroke patients who recover.
AI is also transforming lung cancer diagnosis by immediately flagging potential problems on chest X-rays using the qXR software. Patients identified by AI can receive a same-day CT scan, providing timely information about the presence of cancer.
In radiotherapy, AI technology called Osairis has revolutionized the time-consuming and labor-intensive process of preparing scans. Scans can now be prepared in minutes, allowing doctors to protect healthy tissue from radiation more efficiently.
Heart attack risk assessment has also greatly benefited from AI. By analyzing changes in the fat around inflamed arteries, AI can identify patients who may be at risk and generate a risk score. Implementing this technology within the NHS could potentially prevent more than 20% of heart attacks.
AI algorithms have been crucial in assessing a woman’s risk of complications during pregnancy. The Tommy’s app processes data from hormone blood tests and scan results to identify women who need closer monitoring or treatment. Additionally, AI is being used in IVF clinics to increase success rates.
AI is not only helping in diagnosis and treatment but also in surgical training. Surgeons are working with an AI system trained on hundreds of videos of pituitary gland surgery to improve their skills. Within a short period of ten months, the AI system reached the same level of knowledge as a surgeon with ten years of experience.
The use of AI in healthcare is revolutionizing the way diseases are diagnosed, treated, and prevented. By leveraging the power of data and advanced algorithms, AI is transforming the NHS into a more efficient and effective healthcare system. As technology continues to advance, we can expect even greater innovations that will save more lives in the future.
FAQ
Q: What is AI?
A: AI stands for Artificial Intelligence and refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that usually require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, and decision-making.
Q: How is AI being used in the National Health Service (NHS)?
A: AI is being used in various ways within the NHS to improve healthcare. It is being used to recommend referrals for eye diseases, assess brain scans for stroke diagnosis, flag potential lung cancer cases, prepare radiotherapy scans, assess heart attack risk, predict and monitor complications during pregnancy, improve surgical training, and more.
Q: How is the NHS benefiting from the use of AI?
A: The NHS generates a massive amount of data every day, and AI systems can utilize this data to learn and optimize their performance. AI technology enables faster and more accurate diagnoses, reduces waiting times, increases treatment success rates, and improves overall efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system.
Key Terms/Jargon
– AI (Artificial Intelligence): The development of computer systems that can perform tasks that require human intelligence.
– NHS (National Health Service): The publicly funded healthcare system in the United Kingdom.
– Eye diseases: Various conditions and disorders that affect the eyes and vision.
– Stroke: A medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, often resulting in neurological damage.
– Brain scans: Imaging techniques used to create detailed images of the brain’s structure and function.
– Lung cancer: A type of cancer that begins in the lungs and can spread to other parts of the body.
– CT scan: Computed tomography scan, a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body.
– Radiotherapy: The use of high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors.
– Heart attack: A serious medical condition that occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked, causing damage to the heart.
– IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): A medical procedure used to help couples with fertility problems or genetic disorders conceive a child.
Related Links
– NHS England
– Moorfields Eye Hospital
– Tommy’s – Charity for Pregnancy and Baby Loss
The source of the article is from the blog bitperfect.pe