Nesbitt: AI project delivering real time benefits to patients in Northern Ireland
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Health Minister Mike Nesbitt visited Antrim Area Hospital to
witness first hand a project using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to
help identify bone fractures. The ‘Boneview' project, led by
Business Services Organisation (BSO), is an AI-enhanced algorithm
that supports clinicians reading X-rays within Health and Social
Care (HSC) Trust Emergency Departments (EDs). The project helps to
identify acute fractures, effusions and dislocations in patients
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Health Minister Mike Nesbitt visited Antrim Area Hospital to witness first hand a project using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help identify bone fractures. The ‘Boneview' project, led by Business Services Organisation (BSO), is an AI-enhanced algorithm that supports clinicians reading X-rays within Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust Emergency Departments (EDs). The project helps to identify acute fractures, effusions and dislocations in patients from the age of two, and can help reduce waiting times for patients in Minor Injuries by reducing reading time and errors. The Health Minister said: “This technology is already making a difference to how efficiently and effectively our Emergency Departments and Minor Injury Unit clinicians can treat patients. With missed fracture rates decreasing significantly, the project is delivering real-time benefits to patients. “I'm excited about the potential this project has to improve and streamline workflows, enhance diagnostics and most importantly, improve patient care.” Boneview has been implemented into four of the geographic HSC Trusts so far by the BSO's NIPACS+ programme, with plans for the fifth Trust soon. Once complete, it will be the first region wide NIPACS+ Imaging AI deployment in Northern Ireland. The Northern HSC Trust was the first to avail of the new technology earlier this year. Dr Mark Jenkins, Deputy Medical Director and Emergency Department Consultant at the Northern Trust said: “AI opens up a whole new dimension in healthcare and has huge benefits for our patients – not just in terms of their overall experience, but also in terms of their diagnosis and treatment. “This project will help us to reduce the number of any missed fractures that may occur, and it allows us to provide more efficient, accurate diagnostics for our patients.” Dr Jenkins added: “It's important to say that AI is a tool; it is there to support clinical decisions, and it is not meant as a replacement for doctors or other healthcare professionals. AI cannot, and should not, replace the human, we see it very much as an assistive tool and not a replacement.” The Regional Medical Imaging Board (RMIB) AI subgroup developed an AI strategy for imaging services across Northern Ireland. The group is exploring opportunities around how AI can be of benefit within other areas of imaging in healthcare. For example, utilising AI within Radiology for the review of chest x-rays, and for Digital Pathology whole slide imaging, assisting in earlier detection of disease and cancers, optimising existing patient pathways. Joanne Allison, BSO NIPACS+ Programme Manager and Co-Chair of RMIB AI subgroup said: “This is another major milestone for the NIPACS+ Programme and we are close to having a fully regionalised Boneview solution. This wouldn't have been possible without the support from Dr Anton Collins, SRO of the NIPACS+ Programme and the support of Digital Health and Care NI (DHCNI). “The RMIB AI Subgroup is currently identifying need and assessing potential benefits for other medical imaging related algorithms which will also be deployed through NIPACS+, and our supplier Sectra.” Across the Trusts, the AI technology is currently being used in ED by doctors, emergency nurse practitioners, and healthcare staff working in minor injuries. Northern Trust Consultant Radiologist Dr Eddie Gibson said: “While this project is specifically looking at bones, there are lots of other ways AI can be used in medical imaging in the future, including chest x-rays and CTs with the potential to detect cancers earlier. “It's exciting for us to be involved in the rollout of this new technology, and see first-hand the benefits for our patients, and for clinicians.” Notes to editors:
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