Technology
to help hospitals achieve improvements in efficiency, cost savings (through reduced use of resources and readmissions), as well as sustainability.
Artificial intelligence While the technology has proven to be a useful tool in wound surveillance, the next step is to develop smart phone applications even further with the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Poor image quality can lead to submissions being unusable and this is expected to occur in 1-2% of submitted images, according to UK research studies. In 2020, Isla’s co-founder James Jurkiewicz and clinical colleagues at Royal Brompton & Harefield hospitals (RB&HH) authored a study on the potential use of AI in improving image quality. 4 The paper, which focused on the post-
surgical wound care pathway at RB&HH, noted that the presence of blur in a wound image can prevent a clinician from identifying a suture knot or assessing the placement of surgical clips. These features, and a number of others, are crucial in identifying whether a post-surgical wound is likely to become infected.
In the feasibility study, the authors An easy,
everyday way to see if your hands are really clean.
investigated the use of AI-based techniques for blur detection on images taken at discharge. They noted the need for high quality training data in any additional AI-models built on images, where a blur detection and blur reduction algorithm would be the first step in data cleaning and processing. Blur detection in an image can also be
Wound infections were diagnosed earlier and more patients with infections were diagnosed in the first seven days after surgery, compared to routine care (67% vs 35% ).
used to prompt a user to retake a blurry photo, leading to more efficient use of clinical time during review. The AI team at Isla has recently built on this work, implementing a novel and improved algorithm for blur detection and image enhancement. The model offers blur- detection capabilities with improved accuracy, built to detect blur introduced by motion, incorrect focus or poor quality cameras. Images that have been identified as blurred
are enhanced by a non-AI-based model, using image sharpening techniques which are tuned to detect foreground and background. The tool will be available not only for post-surgical wound pathways, but for any image submitted to Isla. Ultimately, smart phone technology has
the potential to have a significant impact on the perioperative care pathway and is relatively simple to implement. With advances in artificial intelligence, these techniques will offer increased accuracy and clinical efficiency, as well as consistency in care and patient management.
References 1. NHS Playbook - Digital Triage and Assessment; Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Foundation Trust. Accessed at: https://transform.
england.nhs.uk/key-tools-and-info/digital-
playbooks/perioperative-digital-playbook/ Digital-preoperative-triage-and-assessment- at-Chelsea-and-Westminster-Hospital-NHS- Foundation-Trust/
2. Rochon, M, et al, Implementing smartphone technology in practice using the Collaborative for Surgical Site Infection Surveillance (CASSIS) project: preliminary findings; CASSIS Project Group, Wounds UK, March 2022. Accessed at: https://www.wounds-uk. com/journals/issue/657/article-details/ implementing-smartphone-technology- practice-using-collaborative-surgical- site-infection-surveillance-cassis-project- preliminary-findings
3. NHS Playbook - Remote Monitoring; NHS Lothian, accessed at: https://transform.
england.nhs.uk/key-tools-and-info/digital- playbooks/perioperative-digital-playbook/ implementing-remote-monitoring-of-surgical- wounds-using-smartphones/
A handy reminder and training tool. Clean hands are safe hands.
CSJ
4. Rochon, M, et al, Using artificial intelligence to improve wound image quality: A feasibility study; (Royal Brompton and Harefield Foundation Trust), Wounds UK, Nov 2020, accessed at:
https://www.researchgate. net/publication/348959903_Using_artificial_ intelligence_to_improve_wound_image_ quality_A_feasibility_study
Portable or static, this training unit and uv fluorescent soap is compact and easy to use. Wash and check all-in-one step.
The Handicheck system gives validation and verification of good handwashing techniques to make sure hands do not spread infections.
Much easier than existing black box and uv powder options – making the training process quicker and slicker to manage.
Wash Check Go
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www.hannlie.com Scan me March 2024 I
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