AI as EMT Pals Could Save More Lives
Have you ever imagined a world where ambulance crews have an AI buddy providing advice on patient care? Sounds like something out of a sci-fi, right? Well, according to a study from Sweden, this may not be as far-fetched as it seems!
Context and Key Findings
Researchers including Anna Bakidou, a Ph.D. student at Chalmers University of Technology, have developed an AI support system for EMT staff. The system uses a variety of factors such as injury type, blood pressure, respirations, and age to evaluate the severity of a patient’s condition. All five AI models developed in the study, using data from over 47,000 previous ambulance patients, improved the accuracy of assessments on whether a person was severely injured or not.
“Studies show that severely injured patients taken directly to a university hospital have an increased chance of survival compared to those taken to a nearby hospital that may not have the same resources,” says Anna Bakidou.
However, the AI teammate still remains a future prospect. The system needs to undergo further clinical studies over time to ensure its effectiveness. Also, its design needs to be evaluated for easy use by ambulance personnel.
Interesting Facts and Insights
Based on Swedish trauma register data from 47,357 events between 2013 and 2020, the study found that 40% of severely injured patients were not directly taken to a university hospital, while 45% of patients whose injuries could be handled at a regular hospital were unnecessarily transported to university hospitals.
Even with such promising potential, Bakidou emphasizes that the AI tool is intended to serve as support for staff, not a stand-alone decision-maker.
The AI tool could serve as a confirmation in cases where ambulance staff have already made an appropriate decision, or it could be an extra colleague prompting paramedics to review all parameters in case of misjudgment.
The Expat Factor
For expats living in Sweden who may be unfamiliar with the healthcare system, this study instills an added assurance. The potential future inclusion of AI support could mean you’re likely to receive more precise and timely care in emergency situations.
Wrapping Up
As technology continues to advance, AI is making its way into various fields, including emergency healthcare. While there are still milestones to overcome before this AI tool becomes a constant companion for EMTs in Sweden, the preliminary findings indicate a promising future for patient care. But in the end, human touch in medicine remains irreplaceable, and AI should be seen as an aid for professionals, not a replacement.
