One Health Lewisham Collaborates with TidalSense to Enhance COPD Diagnosis
One Health Lewisham is partnering with TidalSense to create educational materials aimed at training healthcare professionals on an innovative AI-powered device designed for diagnosing respiratory illnesses. The six-month project, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), commenced in April 2024.
The N-Tidal device, developed by TidalSense, is already in use at One Health Lewisham, with approximately 10 healthcare professionals undergoing training to effectively utilize it alongside traditional diagnostic methods. By analyzing a patient’s breath CO2 pattern, this handheld AI device accelerates and enhances the accuracy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnoses.
Dr. Matea Deliu, an academic GP and associate medical director at One Health Lewisham, highlighted the project’s goal of empowering clinicians with the knowledge needed to integrate N-Tidal’s AI-driven results into their clinical decision-making processes. The project, aiming to serve as a foundation for future AI medical tools, focuses on real-world implementation, needs assessment, and resource development.
The initiative involves training a team of healthcare professionals, including GPs, paramedics, and nurses, in utilizing the N-Tidal device and interpreting its results. Through interviews and questionnaires, training requirements will be identified, leading to the creation of video and online modules for future healthcare settings using the N-Tidal device.
Dr. Ameera Patel, CEO of TidalSense, expressed confidence that the collaboration will enable GPs to efficiently access and leverage innovative technologies, resulting in expedited diagnoses for patients. Additionally, the project’s framework holds promise for facilitating the seamless adoption of upcoming AI advancements in healthcare.
The N-Tidal device has been integrated into the NHS, including in Hull’s COPD diagnostic service, and has undergone successful trials in Oxford and Nottingham. As the healthcare sector embraces AI technologies, specialized training for healthcare workers is crucial for the effective and safe implementation of such tools, as noted in a recent NHS England report.
