A new research study has launched at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) investigating how artificial intelligence (AI) can help improve the prevention and management of pressure ulcers.
The AI-powered system will take patient data (for example: age, height, weight, pressure ulcer risk factors and stage of ulcer) to develop a personalised care plan based on expected outcomes, by suggesting a treatment plan which is also the most efficient and effective treatment whilst being lowest carbon and economic cost.
Pressure ulcers are when an area of skin becomes distressed due to prolonged contact with another surface, causing an injury to the underlying tissue. They are sometimes known as ‘pressure sores’ and ‘bedsores’. Daily, the NHS spends over £1.4 million on treating pressure ulcers.
The study, conducted by Scientists at Tunley Environmental, is currently in its early stages at DBTH, the only NHS Trust involved. The study is currently in its data collection stage, meaning that clinicians are collecting anonymised data about patients with pressure ulcers, pressure ulcer prevention and treatment plans, and the outcomes and then feeding this data to the AI tool.
An example of required data that is collected is as follows:
- Basic patient data
- Category of ulcer
- Clinical pathway
The data collection phase will last for around a year and then move into the second phase, where, based on the past data it has collected, the AI tool will suggest a personalised clinical pathway for a patient based on all the factors above and considering the economic and carbon cost.
Kelly Phillips, Lead Nurse for the Skin Integrity Team at DBTH, had this to say about the study: “We’re so excited to be involved in this research project, not only will it enable the associated economic and carbon impacts of pressure ulceration incidences and severity to be established but will ultimately be able to predict a truly personalised prevention or treatment pathway for our patients at risk of or living with a pressure ulcer. Removing clinical judgement when it comes to developing a personalised prevention or treatment pathway will not only save time, reduce variation in care but will be based on data and evidence, thereby providing that assurance to the patient and the healthcare professional that the right care is being provided at the right time’’.
The researchers hope to in the future, to share their findings and tools across the NHS to help diminish the incidence and severity of pressure ulcers and to address the associated economic and carbon impacts of treatment pathways.
To find out more about how you can be involved in Research at DBTH please visit the dedicated page: Research and Innovation at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals – Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (dbth.nhs.uk)