Artificial intelligence (AI) is being utilized by the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom to identify patients at risk of hospitalization and provide early intervention. This innovative approach aims to alleviate the strain on Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments and improve patient outcomes, particularly as the NHS prepares for the winter season.
In Somerset, four GP practices are testing an AI system that can flag registered patients with complex health needs, those at risk of hospital admission, or individuals who rarely contact their GP. Health coaches, nurses, or GPs reach out to these patients for conversations about their health, offering a range of preventive care solutions. This can include providing vulnerable patients with food parcels, connecting them to specialist doctors, implementing support to prevent falls, or linking them with local voluntary groups to combat loneliness.
In Buckinghamshire, the NHS is employing AI linked to electronic sensors on household appliances such as kettles and fridges. These sensors detect changes in patients’ eating and drinking habits, alerting a non-clinical Onward Care team who then speak to the patients. This approach resolves 95% of the patients’ issues, with the remaining 5% being escalated to clinical professionals.
Patients have the option to choose whether they want to benefit from local practical measures, including monitoring, cleaning, shopping assistance, and food parcels. These initiatives have proven effective in helping frail patients avoid hospital readmissions.
Meanwhile, NHS teams in parts of Birmingham are piloting an algorithm-based approach to predict the top 5% of individuals at risk of potential hospital attendances or admissions. Staff members conduct social care assessments, medication reviews, and other social prescribing measures to prevent unnecessary visits to A&E. Over the next two years, this program aims to prevent thousands of A&E attendances, overnight hospital stays, and free up GP appointments.
These new AI-driven innovations come at a crucial time as the NHS faces record demand for A&E and ambulance services. The winter season is expected to further burden the healthcare system, and these technological solutions offer promising ways to proactively address patients’ needs.
NHS chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, highlights the value of leveraging technology and AI to tackle the challenges the NHS is currently facing. By identifying at-risk patients and addressing their health concerns early on, unnecessary hospital visits can be avoided, benefiting patients and the NHS alike.
Data integration across integrated care systems allows for a comprehensive understanding of different population groups’ needs and the drivers of health inequalities. The NHS and its partners are utilizing AI and a population health management approach to identify individuals at the highest risk of admission and provide them with targeted preventative healthcare.
The Frimley region has utilized state-of-the-art technology and algorithms to predict the 6,000 people most at risk of hospital admission due to conditions like diabetes, heart failure, and COPD. An app allows these patients to submit their health readings and receive quick clinical responses and support. Consequently, A&E attendances have dropped by almost a third among eligible individuals, with reduced GP contacts and medication prescriptions.
Officials from NHS Frimley and Birmingham Community Healthcare emphasize the crucial role of smart data utilization and AI in supporting high-risk patients and enabling them to receive appropriate support at home. Identifying complex patients likely to require hospital care during the winter enables early intervention and personalized healthcare provision.
As the NHS gears up for winter, last week it launched its annual 111 campaign. This campaign encourages individuals to use NHS 111 services for urgent but non-life-threatening medical advice, highlighting how various healthcare professionals can provide guidance remotely. Life-threatening emergencies should still be directed to the emergency hotline, 999.
The deployment of AI solutions, alongside campaigns like the annual 111 initiative, enhances the NHS’s ability to provide efficient and effective healthcare services amid increasing demand. These technological advancements, coupled with additional measures to increase capacity and resilience, position the NHS better to navigate the forthcoming winter challenges.
In conclusion, the NHS is harnessing the power of AI and technology to identify at-risk patients and provide early intervention. This proactive approach has the potential to reduce the strain on A&E departments, minimize hospital admissions, and improve patient outcomes. By utilizing AI systems and innovative data solutions, the NHS is embracing cutting-edge approaches to deliver enhanced healthcare services.
