RAPIDx AI

The RAPIDx AI Project aims to test whether using computer programs in hospital Emergency Departments (EDs) can assist doctors in providing better care for patients with symptoms related to chest pain. The project involves the development of computer algortithms that compare a patient's health information with a vast database of past ED patients. These programs identify similarities in variables like age, symptoms, and health status. By analysing treatments and recovery patterns of similar patients, the algorithms can potentially support doctors in making improved decisions and suggesting personalised care.

A randomised controlled trial will be conducted in 12 hospitals throughout South Australia. In this study, six hospitals will be randomly assigned to provide normal care with the additional support of advanced computer algorithms, while the other six will provide normal care only.

Every year, nearly one million people visit Australian hospital Emergency Departments due to symptoms of chest pain, which could suggest a heart attack. However, once investigated, the majority of these cases will not result in a heart attack diagnosis. The current assessment procedures for chest pain in EDs are laborious, resource-intensive, and often inefficient. This can exacerbate hospital congestion and in fact can cause harm. 

While artificial intelligence can never replace experienced doctors, this project presents an opportunity to test its usefulness as a decision support tool to enable more consistent delivery of high-quality evidence-based care that  improves patients lives. Thorough testing of this algorithm will allow a meaningful decision to be taken about potential scale up options.