Irish health tech company xWave have announced that they are partnering with the Royal College of Radiologists in a collaboration that will see xWave’s tech platform made available across the UK.
The CDS (Clinical Decision Support) platform presents clinicians with ‘next step’ action advice, following evidence-based guidance, when they input information about a patient case. It’s said to support the referral decision for each patient along with supporting hospital-based radiology teams in vetting and approving imaging requests.
A recent audit of the impact of the xWave CDS tool across a hospital group in Ireland showed a reduction of more than 60 percent in unwarranted advanced cross sectional imaging request, and an overall reduction of referral volumes of 8.2 percent.
“In a recent report published by our team here at the Royal College of Radiologists, 98 percent of NHS clinical directors expressed concern over workforce morale, stress, and burnout in their departments,” commented Oliver Reichardt, CEO of the Royal College of Radiologists.
“97 percent admitted to concern over the backlogs and delays to patients care, and 81 percent cited worries about patient safety. However, evidence shows that Clinical Decision Support software has a really important role to play in reducing unnecessary tests and ensuring the right tests are requested first time. Promoting the adoption of successful technologies like xWave CDS is a crucial step in helping to relieve the very heavy workloads radiologists are facing this autumn.”
Professor Ronan Killeen, Radiologist and Clinical Director at xWave, added: “We built the xWave CDS to make sure that clinicians have access to the information they need, at the point of care, to make the right referral and vetting decisions. What really matters is that patients get the best test first, and with minimal waiting, and xWave’s partnership with the Royal College of Radiologists is a huge step forward in making this a reality.”
