Researchers from King’s College Hospital NHS FT and King’s College London are to launch a new COVID-19 research project.
The study aims to analyse chest X-rays and clinical data over several months to support the development of artificial intelligence technology.
In this study, up to 10,000 adults with suspected COVID-19 receiving care at King’s College Hospital will receive chest X-rays and be monitored over several months.
Data collected during this time will be analysed and used to inform machine learning approaches in order to create an AI ‘decision-support’ tool.
The tool is hoped to support clinical staff more effectively triage patients with COVID-19 and the likelihood of needing ventilator support, based on data to predict the outcome following a chest X-ray.
Dr Thomas Booth, Lead researcher and consultant neuroradiologist at King’s College Hospital NHS FT said “Clearly, if we can extract additional information from the chest radiograph, that predicts whether a ventilator can help the patient, then that would help determine which patients will benefit the most from mechanical ventilation.”
“Importantly, an algorithm developed now could also be used if there are recurrent or seasonal COVID-19 peaks.”
“More broadly, AI methods do allow what is learnt from one disease group to be used in another.”
The study will focus on changes in computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest, documenting CT changes over time or determining an algorithm that can differentiate COVID-19 pneumonia from other pneumonia on CT scans.
The project is receiving funding from BCB Group as part of their BCB Seed Foundation, which is currently focusing on ways to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oliver von Landsberg-Sadie, Founder and CEO, BCB Group said “to support both those working on the front line and across vulnerable areas of society during this time, we are honoured that BCB Group’s Seed Foundation and our clients are supporting the researchers involved in this high-impact project which has the potential to deliver positive impact not only to the front line, but also to the global community beyond.”
