Revolutionizing Stroke Care with AI: Brainomix Enhances Treatment Access across the NHS
The integration of Brainomix’s e-Stroke AI platform within the NHS has marked a significant advancement in stroke care, offering more patients access to transformative treatments. This development is supported by findings from the Oxford Academic Health Science Network (Oxford AHSN), highlighting the platform’s impact on patient care.
Utilizing AI, the e-Stroke imaging technology processes CT and MRI scans swiftly, identifying patients who could significantly benefit from mechanical thrombectomy (MT). MT is a critical procedure for patients suffering from severe strokes caused by the obstruction of major blood vessels to the brain. It has the potential to considerably reduce disability and diminish the need for long-term care.
The challenge within the UK has been the underutilization of MT, largely available in only a fraction of acute hospitals. Given that initial stroke assessments occur in local hospital A&E departments, swift identification and transfer of eligible patients to specialized centers are crucial to prevent irreversible brain damage.
In response, twenty-four hospitals across England engaged in an Oxford AHSN-led independent evaluation of e-Stroke. This innovative platform processes brain scans in under two minutes, facilitating immediate notification to clinicians via smartphones and hospital systems. It fosters a networked approach among specialists, enhancing the coordination and efficiency of patient care.
Preliminary results from this evaluation have been promising. Treatment rates at hospitals utilizing e-Stroke soared by over 55% above the national average. Specifically, these rates increased to 5.7% compared to the national average of 3.6%, translating to hundreds more patients benefiting from MT and its life-altering advantages.
The performance of some hospitals even surpassed the ambitious 10% MT rate target outlined in the NHS Long Term Plan, as documented in a Brainomix video.
Following its recognition with the NHS AI in Health and Care Award in 2020, Brainomix received support from the Oxford AHSN to expand the adoption of e-Stroke across Integrated Stroke Delivery Networks (ISDNs). This collaboration aims to rigorously assess e-Stroke’s effects on clinical outcomes, pathways, and operational efficiency.
Feedback from NHS specialists involved in the evaluation has been overwhelmingly positive, with a majority acknowledging e-Stroke’s role in enhancing patient identification for MT, streamlining inter-hospital communication, and expediting clinical decision-making.
Professor Gary Ford CBE of Oxford AHSN and Dr. George Harston of Brainomix both emphasize the crucial role of e-Stroke in achieving higher thrombectomy rates. This breakthrough ensures that more patients across various regions benefit from cutting-edge stroke treatment, underscoring the importance of AI in transforming healthcare delivery.
