Around 85,000 people each year are affected by stroke in England alone. The diagnosis and treatment of stroke is extremely time-sensitive; the earlier that diagnosis is confirmed and appropriate treatment begins, the better the outcome for the patient.
Thousands of stroke patients across the UK are already benefitting from faster diagnosis and treatment, and thus improved outcomes, thanks to state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) technology resulting from government investment. Developed right here in the UK, the Brainomix e-stroke system uses cutting-edge algorithms which provide medical staff with 'real-time decision support in the interpretation of brain scans', helping to inform diagnosis and treatment decisions.
Analysis of the e-Stroke system has shown that it can reduce the time between a patient presenting with a stroke and then receiving treatment by as much as 60 minutes. It is associated with a threefold rise from 16% to 48% in the number of stroke survivors recovering with only slight disability or no disability at all, a truly revolutionary figure. In addition to improving patient outcomes, the AI technology also helps to support NHS staff by freeing up valuable time.
Currently, the Brainomix e-Stroke system is deployed at several sites which together span across 11 different stroke networks: five of these have received funding from the UK government's AI in Health and Care Award. Run by NIHR Accelerated Access Collaboration at the NHS AI Lab and NHS England, the award is backed with £123 million and 'supports accelerating the testing and evaluation of cutting-edge technologies which have the potential for greatest patient and clinician benefit'. The award supports the development of AI technologies 'from initial feasibility to the point that they could be nationally commissioned.'
One stroke survivor who has benefitted greatly from the technology is Carol Wilson, a teaching assistant. After suffering intense cramp and losing her sight and the use of her limbs, Carol was admitted to hospital. Using the Brainomix e-Stroke AI system, Carol's consultant quickly diagnosed a blood clot on her brain and recommended that she undergo a thrombectomy. The rapid diagnosis and subsequent treatment ensured that Carol made a swift recovery and she is now back at work, living her life as she was before experiencing the potentially-devastating stroke.
Stroke can have numerous, lasting effects on the survivor's movement and the SDO® Original collection of compression garments from Jobskin® has been designed to provide maximum therapeutic value in such cases. To find out more about SDO® garments, along with the complementary SDO® Lite assessment collection, please browse the Jobskin® website or get in touch with our dedicated clinical team.
