The NHS is set to use artificial intelligence (AI) to look for fractures during x-rays, according to new guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
As part of draft guidance released today, NICE has said that four AI technologies can be used in urgent care to detect broken bones – x-rays will also be reviewed separately by a trained healthcare professional.
The AI tools include:
- TechCare Alert
- BoneView
- RBfracture
- Rayvolve
A low risk move
The AI will be used in English urgent care settings while further real-world evidence is gathered.
NICE’s committee highlighted that, given the technology will not be working in isolation, it is unlikely implementation will lead to more unnecessary fracture clinic referrals – an independent review at a radiology department will still take place, however.
Clinical evidence suggests that AI technologies could improve fracture detection during x-rays, compared to human reviews alone.
“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,” said Mark Chapman, NICE’s HealthTech director.
How it will help
Health leaders believe that the introduction of AI can narrow nationwide variation, reduce the number of fractures missed during initial presentation, and prevent instances of further injury or harm between the first assessment a patient has and the decision whether they should receive further treatment.
It is thought that, within A&E, missed fractures are the most common diagnostic error – missed or delayed fracture diagnoses on radiographs occur in approximately 3-10% of cases.
Chapman added: “Using AI technology to help highly skilled professionals in urgent care centres to identify which of their patients has a fracture could potentially speed up diagnosis and reduce follow up appointments needed because of a fracture missed during an initial assessment.”
Missed fractures are put down to the immense workload in radiology departments, partly due to the high vacancy rate currently observed within them. The NHS Long Term Plan put vacancy rates for radiologists and radiographers at 12.5% and 15% respectively.
The NHS has previously estimated that fragility fractures cost the UK around £4.4bn a year, with hip fractures alone accounting for 69,000 emergency admissions in England – this is the equivalent of 1.3 million bed days and £1.5bn a year.
The consultation on the draft guidance will last until 5 November, with publication expected early next year.
Image credit: iStock
