Cheshire & Merseyside Strategic Clinical Network (CMSCN) has partnered with connected healthcare specialist, Wellbeing Software, and stroke imaging company, Brainomix, to introduce a pioneering AI stroke diagnosis platform across the region.
The Brainomix e-Stroke Suite software has been selected to enable physicians across the network to more confidently, and crucially more quickly, identify stroke patients when assessing brain scans, enabling them to make informed decisions about the best-possible treatment – which could potentially involve transportation from one of the primary stroke centres to the Walton Centre.
The implementation has been made possible by Wellbeing’s AI Connect platform, which enables hospitals to embed multiple algorithms into their existing radiology workflow, regardless of the RIS or PACS they’re using.
Brainomix’s e-Stroke Suite solution assists healthcare professionals to make faster, more-informed decisions by applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) when assessing ischemic stroke damage.
It interprets scans based on metrics drawn from over 150,000 images and is able to quantify the volume of ischemia as well as the ASPECTS score, providing a standardised stroke diagnosis quicker.
Chris Yeowart, director at Wellbeing Software, said: “Our customers have indicated a demand for AI in radiology to support clinical decision-making and to improve patient outcomes.
“However, in order to optimise the user experience, and to maximise clinical advantage, these algorithms need to be integrated into existing workflow.
“Our role is to collaborate with market-leading vendors like Brainomix to support the introduction of AI to the NHS, and we’re excited to be part of this innovative project.”
Riaz Rahman, vice president for healthcare at Brainomix, added: “By seamlessly connecting each of the sites across the full stroke network, we will provide frontline stroke physicians with fast and critical clinical information to optimise treatment decisions in what is a highly time-sensitive pathway”
And Dr Nikhil Sharma, clinical director at CMSCN, commented: “The AI software will transform our ability to reliably and confidently interpret CT angiograms as we roll out the out-of-hours thrombectomy service.
“In addition, the CT perfusion software will enable more patients than ever to access vital reperfusion therapies. This will have a huge lifesaving and disability-reducing impact for our patients.
The network consists of six primary stroke centres; Southport & Ormskirk; Aintree; The Royal Liverpool; Whiston; Arrowe Park; and The Countess of Chester, all of which link up to The Walton Centre where patients who require mechanical thrombectomy may be referred or transported for treatment.