The fight against lung cancer has taken a major step forward at Liverpool University Hospitals, thanks to the introduction of cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.
The technology, developed by global health company Annalise.ai, acts like an extra set of eyes for clinicians, detecting up to 124 different findings in chest X-rays. When a possible lung cancer case is flagged, a radiologist is alerted in under a minute, meaning patients can often be booked for a CT scan the same day.
This innovation is now live across all 11 imaging sites in Cheshire and Merseyside. It’s the result of a collaboration between Liverpool University Hospitals, Annalise.ai, the Cheshire and Merseyside Radiology Imaging Network (CAMRIN), Philips, and ARO, supported by £1.2m funding from the NHS AI Diagnostic Fund.
Chris McLeavy, Consultant Radiologist at UHL Group, said: “Annalise is an AI led decision support system to aid radiologists in reporting chest x-rays.
“Its introduction across Liverpool Hospitals Group aims to speed up diagnosis of subtle lung pathologies and reduce the time from initial investigation to treatment of lung malignancies. Those radiologists who have been part of the initial roll-out are impressed with its ease of use and ability to highlight pathologies”
The project has also gained national recognition, shortlisted for an HSJ Digital Award for Driving Change Through AI and Automation.
Katy Minko, Innovation Officer, added: “The integration of AI into diagnostic services marks a significant milestone.
“It’s a clear example of how cutting-edge technology can be harnessed to deliver improvements in patient care and operational efficiency.”
To learn more about innovation at UHL Group, visit our website here.