NHSX is developing a national database of chest X-ray, CT and MRI images in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is also working with the British Society of Thoracic Imaging, the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and AI technology specialist Faculty on a software to help use the images in understanding the risk and impact of the coronavirus.
It said the software could also define groups of patients according to the nature and severity of their symptoms and identify other issues that could complicate their care.
NHSX has called on radiologists to contribute to the National Covid-19 Chest Imaging Database (NCCID).
As it stands, the database categorises the imagery by a number of factors including routine demographics, cardio-respiratory assessments, scans for cardiac damage and outcome data.
It utilises the existing Image Exchange Portal and de-identifies the data at point of collection so the patients cannot be identified.
The organisation said the data has the potential to enable faster assessments of patients in A&E, save radiologists’ time and increase the safety and consistency of care.
Image by Yale Rosen, CC BY-SA 2.0
