Scottish researchers have developed an AI tool which will help predict patients who are likely to need emergency hospital care within the next year.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Durham partnered with Public Health Scotland to improve the tool. This marks the first update it has had in a 12-year period.
This updated software, SPARRAv4 – Scottish Patients at Risk of Readmission and Admission version 4, is more efficient and more accurate than previous versions.
In a press release, experts explained the purpose and benefits of the tool:
“The AI-powered update will help healthcare providers in Scotland anticipate and plan more effectively for emergency cases and manage healthcare resources more efficiently.”
Emergency hospital visits place a “tremendous strain” on the Scottish healthcare system and account for nearly 50% of all hospital admissions.
Dr Catalina Vallejos, at the University of Edinburgh’s Genetics Unit said:
“In an era where healthcare systems are under high stress, we hope that the availability of robust and reproducible risk prediction scores such as SPARRAv4 will contribute to the design of proactive interventions that reduce pressures on healthcare systems and improve healthy life expectancy.”
Researchers addressed potential concerns about the software, stating that while it will be used in critical aid “it will not replace the essential clinical judgement of medical professionals.”
Public Health Scotland will start encouraging and promoting the use of the software around Scotland.
“SL18 NKK Scottish ambulance service” by Dougie 409 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.