Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Artificial intelligence is among the advances in neuroscience now in use at Abrazo West Campus.
The Ceribell point-of-care EEG system uses AI to help quickly detect non-convulsive seizures meanwhile the hospital also uses a tool called Viz.ai to assist the medical team in diagnosing and determining an appropriate treatment for patients suspected of experiencing a stroke, according to a press release.
“Abrazo West continues to invest in advanced technology for our physicians to use in the diagnosis and treatment of strokes and seizures,” said Abrazo West Campus CEO Hans Driessnack.
Powered by machine learning AI and typically used in the ICU or Emergency Department, Ceribell technology helps identify an active seizure not visible to the eye.
When equipped with Clarity, a machine learning algorithm, the Ceribell system can interpret EEG signals and will provide audible and visual alerts when continuous seizures indicating status epilepticus are detected, according to its manufacturer, Abrazo Health officials tell the Digital Free Press.
“When clinically suspected, Ceribell bands can be applied to the patient’s head at bedside and the AI can detect seizure right away with very high clinical accuracy,” explained Dr. Sushant Kale, medical director for Neurology and Stroke at Abrazo West Campus.
“This enables the bedside clinician to treat the patient hours before they otherwise would have done it with traditional setup,” he said. The EEG is also available for neurologists to see in real time on a HIPAA compliant smartphone app.
Viz.ai is used for large vessel occlusions (blockages) notification at Abrazo West Campus. In fact, all Abrazo hospitals and microhospitals in the Valley are set up to use this AI technology for diagnosing stroke, said Dr. Kale.
“These systems add to our ability to provide timely identification and intervention for individuals with neurological concerns,” Mr. Driessnack said. “During stroke awareness month we are excited to celebrate this technology and its impact as well as raise awareness with the community of how to identify the early signs of a stroke. Early identification and action is critical for better outcomes.”
