AI at the forefront of efforts to treat coronavirus patients
Patients with COVID-19 are set to benefit from faster treatment, improved outcomes and shorter hospital stays thanks to the use of the latest artificial intelligence.
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Increased speed and accuracy in diagnosis can lead to early medical intervention and save lives
NHSX, a unit tasked with driving the digital transformation of care in the NHS, has brought together over 40,000 CT scans, MRIs and X-rays from more than 10,000 patients across the UK during the course of the pandemic.
Access to this National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database (
NCCID) has now been extended to hospitals and universities across the country who are using the images to track patterns and markers of illness. The database can speed up diagnosis of COVID-19, leading to a quick treatment plan and greater understanding of whether the patient may end up in a critical condition.
Published:
12:12 PM January 14, 2021
Matthew and Alice Stamper kept in touch with love letters read by Northwick Park Hospital staff. Picture: NWLH
- Credit: NWLH
Love letters helped a newly married couple stay in touch when a man s stroke on the operating table led to him staying at Northwick Park Hospital for six months.
Matthew Stamper, who lives in Billericay, Essex, suffered a stroke during an operation to remove a brain tumour.
He was subsequently transferred to the Regional Hyperacute Rehabilitation Unit at the Watford Road hospital - a three hour round trip for wife Alice from their home.
There he remained for the next six months.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson added: “I know the last year has taken its toll – but your compliance is now more vital than ever.”
London mayor Sadiq Khan has declared a “major incident” in the capital as the spread threatens to “overwhelm” hospitals.
A “major incident” means the “severity of the consequences” associated with it are “likely to constrain or complicate the ability of responders to resource and manage the incident”.
Mr Khan has written to the Mr Johnson asking for more financial support for Londoners who need to self-isolate and unable to work, and for daily vaccination data.
He is also asking for the closure of places of worship and for face masks to be worn routinely outside of the home, including in crowded places and supermarket queues.