- author, Charis Scott Holm
- role, BBC News
Hospitals across the region will use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to reduce unnecessary admissions and lengthy hospital stays, hospital executives said.
NHS Humber Health Partnership said its Flow initiative includes measures designed to streamline every stage of a patient's journey, from the emergency department to discharge from hospital.
AI software will be used to generate x-ray reports and read blood test results, and executives are promising faster assessments in emergency departments, more home care and the creation of virtual hospital wards.
Jonathan Lofthouse, group chief executive of NHS Humber Health Partnership, said the “transformation project” would create “meaningful and lasting change”.
Unnecessary hospitalization
“We assess patients at every stage of their care journey to ensure they receive the best care, when and where they need it,” he added.
Hull Royal Infirmary, Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby, Scunthorpe General Hospital, Goole and District Hospital and Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham are all taking part.
The partnership claims that the virtual ward will eliminate time-consuming outpatient consultations and prevent emergency and unnecessary hospital admissions, while the use of specialised AI software will enable doctors to provide more 'hands-on' patient care.
He said patients would be issued with a patient pack within 24 hours of arriving at the hospital which outlined their expected treatment – scans, tests and surgery – and their expected discharge date.
Elsewhere, enhanced rounds will see all patients by 10am each day to ensure their treatment is progressing well and that their discharge date is appropriate.
The partnership said staff will coordinate care and ensure patients are discharged as soon as they have recovered sufficiently.
