East Kent Hospitals NHS buys Qure.ai through SBS Framework

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust is using artificial intelligence (AI) software to help examine chest X-rays – provider Qure.ai to be procured through the NHS Shared Business Service (SBS) framework Creating one of the first AI companies.

QXR software can help identify potential problems on X-rays almost immediately, alerting doctors to help reduce any potential delays in starting treatment. AI-powered software can detect issues including cancer, collapsed lung and tuberculosis, without waiting for a radiologist to review X-ray imaging.

The findings generated by the software are reviewed by emergency department doctors before a treatment decision is made. In addition, senior radiologists regularly check the reports to ensure accuracy. Serious cases will be highlighted by Qure.ai’s qXR, allowing doctors to target patients who most urgently need treatment.

Dr Nilan Das, Consultant Interventional Radiologist and AI Lead at East Kent Hospitals, said: “We are very excited about this new imaging innovation, which we think will make a real difference across departments.

The technology allows for rapid interpretation of images and targeted reporting so that any abnormalities can be immediately flagged for a doctor’s review. Our initial testing has shown that it is at least as sensitive as a senior radiologist and when fully implemented in our emergency departments can analyze thousands of X-rays per month.

The technology is the latest AI project bought by the trust, which already uses other software to monitor patients’ eye health, detect signs of disease or stroke, and analyze possible lung cancer on CT scans. Has been

Dr Das believes the technology has real potential to improve patient care and outcomes, but warns that “continuous performance monitoring of all new AI technologies introduced into the NHS is key to success and adoption”. Is”.

The NHS Shared Business Services Framework is a dedicated procurement portal for AI projects in the NHS at a national level.

Qure.ai’s SVP and Head of Commercial – UK and Europe, Darren Stephens, said: “Becoming the first AI company to be bought through the NHS SBS framework is a significant milestone for Qure.ai.

“We are excited to partner with East Kent Hospitals with the aim of increasing the efficiency of radiology reporting of chest X-rays with very high accuracy.

“A layer of AI-enabled chest X-ray triaging can accurately identify severe cases, resulting in optimized resources and enhanced patient experiences.”

East Kent Hospitals is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s AI Center Consortium – a group of 16 organizations working on ways to use AI technology to benefit NHS patients.