Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (ICB) has adopted artificial intelligence (AI) technology to support its process of diagnosing suspected skin cancers and to prioritise patients.
Working alongside health tech company Skin Analytics, the hospitals’ dermatology services are using a tool called DERM to analyse high quality images of suspected cancer lesions. The screening is said to identify cases which could be melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma which will need priority investigation by a dermatologist.
The process works through healthcare professionals taking photographs of each skin lesion using a smartphone, with one of the photographs taken with a special magnifying lens attached to the smartphone and placed directly on the skin. The photographs are then encrypted and analysed by the AI DERM tool, with further review from dermatologists if required.
According to the ICB, 41 percent of patients were discharged from the service or referred to other dermatology departments, following using the tool after five months.
The new service was first introduced at Loughborough Community Hospital earlier this year and is now also available in Melton Mowbray, Hinckley and Leicester city.
Dr Pawan Randev, GP and Clinical Lead for cancer for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, stated: “It speeds up the diagnostic process for suitable patients and helps to ensure that they are only seen in our cancer diagnosis clinics if really necessary. This means that waiting times are reduced for those who need to be seen and treated quickly.”
Dr Karen Harman, Head of the Dermatology Service at University Hospitals Leicester, explained: “Using new AI technology to help diagnose suspected skin cancers is very exciting. Skin Analytics not only helps us rule out skin cancer more quickly, giving patients peace of mind, but we can also refer patients to the most appropriate specialist if they need further investigations meaning patients see the right person, first time.”
