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The National Health Service (NHS) in England has received the green light to use AI scans to check over X-rays.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published draft guidance today (Oct. 22) recommending the use of four different AI tools.
TechCare Alert (for all ages), Rayvolve (for adults only), BoneView, and RBfracture (for anyone older than two) could be used in urgent care to ensure doctors don’t miss fractures. Each scan is estimated to cost £1 (approximately $1.30).
Why do doctors need AI scans?
NICE reports that fractures are one of the most frequently missed diagnoses in emergency rooms. Between 3 and 10 percent of cases are missed entirely or diagnosed late. This can lead to further problems down the line for the patient and puts more strain on the health service.
Healthcare professionals reviewing an x-ray in urgent care settings could soon have the benefit of AI technologies to support them in detecting fractures.
Our committee has recommended four technologies that could be used.
Learn more: https://t.co/QxpwPxplQu pic.twitter.com/knpcx4WnKI
— NICE (@NICEComms) October 22, 2024
AI would step in and check over the X-ray as well as the healthcare professional. As the AI is not working alone, the technology is considered “low risk”.
Director of HealthTech at NICE, Mark Chapman said: “Every day across the NHS thousands of images are interpreted by expert radiologists and radiographers, but there is a high vacancy rate within these departments across the country and more support is needed to manage their workload.
“These AI technologies are safe to use and could spot fractures which humans might miss given the pressure and demands these professional groups work under.”
According to the NHS, in England, 12.5 percent of radiologist roles are vacant, as are 15 percent of radiographers. Chapman says this technology would quicken up diagnoses and cut down on follow-ups.
NICE is currently accepting comments on the draft recommendation. They can be submitted up until Nov. 5.
AI is being utilized in healthcare more and more often. Last month, Harvard Medical School researchers revealed a model they had trained to diagnose cancer with almost 94 percent accuracy.
Feature image credit: Pexels
