New Rapid AI software at CKHA. (Submitted photo)
Chatham

New AI technology enhances stroke care at CKHA

The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has started using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help diagnose and treat patients with stroke-like symptoms.

CKHA said so far it's for stroke care only, adding the RAPID AI advanced software quickly analyzes brain scans and helps doctors make faster, more accurate treatment decisions.

RAPID AI provides an automated "ASPECTS score" that helps physicians understand how much of the brain may have been affected by a stroke, according to CKHA, and helps guide treatment decisions to determine if a patient is a good candidate for certain life-saving procedures, such as removing a blood clot from the brain.

“Time is absolutely critical when treating stroke,” said CKHA Chief of Radiology Dr. Stacey Speer. “RAPID AI gives our team fast, reliable information. It highlights areas of the brain that are in trouble and shows whether blood flow is being blocked. That allows us to make quicker, more confident decisions about how to treat our patients.”

The RAPID AI was funded by the CKHA Foundation.

“This is exactly the kind of impact our donors hope to make,” said CKHA Foundation President and CEO Christine Mitchell. “We’re thrilled to fund the implementation of this AI technology. It’s improving patient care in a very real, immediate way and helping our hospital stay at the forefront of stroke care.”

Read More Local Stories

Detail blue line with puck on ice hockey rink. © Can Stock Photo / fotoduki

Scoreboard, April 19

Carolina Hurricanes beat the Ottawa Senators 2-0 on Saturday to open their first-round playoff series.

Snow possible this weekend

Environment Canada is anticipating a cold front to sweep through the region, with a small chance of flurries on Sunday evening, potentially continuing into Monday.

Flooding along the Thames River in downtown Chatham on September 24, 2021. (Photo by Matt Weverink)

Flooding in downtown Chatham

The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority is reporting some flooding in downtown Chatham and more could be on the way.