Among the many applications of artificial intelligence there were probably few who thought it could save lives by shifting patients around hospital wards.
But the pandemic has proved otherwise, with an AI system invented by a former National Health Service operations manager allowing hospitals to efficiently reorganise beds to cope with the influx of Covid patients.
The past two years have brought many tremendous medical advances, but Orlando Agrippa, 37, had little idea that his innovation now used in Britain, the UAE and Australia would be tested in such extreme circumstances.
“We can predict the type and volume of patients who might appear at the front door of the hospital, which allows our healthcare colleagues to be prepared for that surge in demand,” the RwHealth founder and chief executive told The National.
His system allows clinicians to predict if a hospital is in danger of being swamped and whether they should expand bed numbers to meet demand.
Its algorithms also tell doctors and nurses how long a patient is likely to remain in hospital and whether they can be safely discharged for care at home.
The NHS is the world’s fifth-largest employer. With 1.7 million staff who see more than a million patients on an average day, AI will play an increasingly important role in helping to streamline the operation.
The data science platform was developed by RwHealth, formerly Draper & Dash, a year before the pandemic hit. It is now proving to be crucial in the fight against Covid-19 by providing real-time information on patient flows.
Mr Agrippa devised the system when he became fed up with weekly flights between London and a Scottish hospital to assess patient flows.
“I thought that there must be a way to automate an advanced technology that replicates the stuff that I do, I pressed on with it and the rest is history,” the software developer said.
As an operational manager for the National Health Service for more than 15 years, he understood the benefits of creating a system that absorbed live data from medical systems.
After inputting millions of patient pathways, DSP views all the evidence from months or years of hospital admissions and gives a profile for the patients and complexity of their illness.
With all the data absorbed, the platform can predict how long someone will be in a hospital bed and the resources they might consume.
“Teams on the ground use that insight and analytics to look at ways in which they can accelerate the discharge of patients who don’t need to be in a hospital bed and can be managed within the community,” he said.
Freeing up beds has been vital in the pandemic with hospitals at times being overwhelmed.
The knowledge of underlying conditions, such as cancer or pulmonary hypertension, also allows the DSP to categorise risk.
“This capacity is driven by the algorithm, which is capable of looking at millions of rows of data of patients who have previously presented,” he said.
“We then leverage these insights to determine how the triage process can best be supported.”
But while the AI provides visibility and suggestions, it is ultimately down to the “clinical voice to make the clinical decision”.
The AI comes down to a clarified management of numbers and need. “The simple question that we want to provide clinicians, operational managers and management teams with is ‘How many patients do we need to see, how frequently do we need to see them and what’s the complexity of those patients?’”
We’re likely to see a massive issue in the spring with a lot more people who have deteriorated
While the system currently predicts Covid admissions in Britain will tail off by the end of January, it suggests that come spring there will be major pressure for operations.
“We’re likely to see a massive issue in the spring with a lot more people who have deteriorated over the Christmas holidays because they’ve not been able to have elective procedures.”
DSP has already helped sift through the huge number of people attending hospitals. NHS figures show each day 50,000 visit accident and emergency, an additional 94,000 are admitted for emergency treatment and there are 49,000 outpatient and 830,000 GP (community doctor) appointments.
Come the spring with coronavirus potentially waning, the software will play an important role in streaming the flow of the 36,000 people who attend hospital each day for planned treatment.
While Mr Agrippa does not believe that there will be a sudden rise in mortalities among those six million awaiting operations, he urges healthcare leaders to be “mindful of the potential for many to come to harm”. “What I mean by that is people who have had chronic pain or deteriorating conditions that should have been operated on, I think other things will start to happen to them because their quality of life has gone considerably down.”
The AI system is showing that patients who have been waiting for at least two years for operations postponed due to the pandemic are deteriorating significantly.
This is where the technology is now helping health planners “optimise pathways so that they can be treated”.
We’re working on a current innovation that will help identify patients with undiagnosed conditions
Two years ago NHSX, the organisation driving the digital transformation of health care, announced a £250 million ($340.7 million) investment to bring in more AI technology into Britain’s hospitals. This is a relatively small amount of the NHS annual budget of £179 billion, the second highest in the UK after social welfare and pensions.
Mr Agrippa also predicts that there are three situations that might overwhelm certain health systems around the world. Staff absence through sickness, combined with an influx of Covid patients and frail people in urgent need of operations might have a grim outcome.
Developing countries such as those in South America are a big concern for capacity constraints exposed by waves of infections. “The unvaccinated part of the population is enormous, the clinical workforce is low and the ability to flex capacity doesn’t exist in such places as Brazil.”
While DSP already provides services to Abu Dhabi’s main health system, Mr Agrippa is looking to do “some really creative things” to develop technology that eases patient flow and capacity.
With a recent £6 million cash injection and more venture capital funding on the horizon RwHealth is looking to develop future AI system that can predict diseases by using data from current sufferers.
“We’re working on a current innovation that will help identify patients with undiagnosed conditions. This capability will not only help expedite their diagnoses but will also ensure that they receive the care they need faster.”
As a data analyst, Mr Agrippa, born in Guyana, central America, could not resist taking a DNA sequencing test. It showed he was 10 per cent Chinese and 8 per cent Indian, with the rest from Ghana and Nigeria.
It’s a “pretty interesting mix”, he believes, one that has not only given the entrepreneur considerable success but also streamlined hospital admissions, potentially saving thousands of lives.
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6
Power: 416hp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 410Nm at 3,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel consumption: 10.2 l/100km
Price: Dh375,000
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
More from Neighbourhood Watch
TICKETS
For tickets for the two-day Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) event, entitled Dubai Invasion 2019, on September 27 and 28 go to www.meraticket.com.
TICKETS
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20has%20been%20moored%20off%20the%20Yemeni%20coast%20of%20Ras%20Issa%20since%201988.%3Cbr%3EThe%20Houthis%20have%20been%20blockading%20UN%20efforts%20to%20inspect%20and%20maintain%20the%20vessel%20since%202015%2C%20when%20the%20war%20between%20the%20group%20and%20the%20Yemen%20government%2C%20backed%20by%20the%20Saudi-led%20coalition%20began.%3Cbr%3ESince%20then%2C%20a%20handful%20of%20people%20acting%20as%20a%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ae%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D%26ved%3D2ahUKEwiw2OfUuKr4AhVBuKQKHTTzB7cQFnoECB4QAQ%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.thenationalnews.com%252Fworld%252Fmena%252Fyemen-s-floating-bomb-tanker-millions-kept-safe-by-skeleton-crew-1.1104713%26usg%3DAOvVaw0t9FPiRsx7zK7aEYgc65Ad%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3Eskeleton%20crew%3C%2Fa%3E%2C%20have%20performed%20rudimentary%20maintenance%20work%20to%20keep%20the%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20intact.%3Cbr%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20is%20connected%20to%20a%20pipeline%20from%20the%20oil-rich%20city%20of%20Marib%2C%20and%20was%20once%20a%20hub%20for%20the%20storage%20and%20export%20of%20crude%20oil.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%E2%80%99s%20environmental%20and%20humanitarian%20impact%20may%20extend%20well%20beyond%20Yemen%2C%20experts%20believe%2C%20into%20the%20surrounding%20waters%20of%20Saudi%20Arabia%2C%20Djibouti%20and%20Eritrea%2C%20impacting%20marine-life%20and%20vital%20infrastructure%20like%20desalination%20plans%20and%20fishing%20ports.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
THE BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Whenever I have any free time I always go back to see my family in Caltra, Galway, it’s the only place I can properly relax.
Favourite film: The Way, starring Martin Sheen. It’s about the Camino de Santiago walk from France to Spain.
Personal motto: If something’s meant for you it won’t pass you by.
MATCH DETAILS
Manchester United 3
Greenwood (21), Martial (33), Rashford (49)
Partizan Belgrade 0
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
It's up to you to go green
Nils El Accad, chief executive and owner of Organic Foods and Café, says going green is about “lifestyle and attitude” rather than a “money change”; people need to plan ahead to fill water bottles in advance and take their own bags to the supermarket, he says.
“People always want someone else to do the work; it doesn’t work like that,” he adds. “The first step: you have to consciously make that decision and change.”
When he gets a takeaway, says Mr El Accad, he takes his own glass jars instead of accepting disposable aluminium containers, paper napkins and plastic tubs, cutlery and bags from restaurants.
He also plants his own crops and herbs at home and at the Sheikh Zayed store, from basil and rosemary to beans, squashes and papayas. “If you’re going to water anything, better it be tomatoes and cucumbers, something edible, than grass,” he says.
“All this throwaway plastic - cups, bottles, forks - has to go first,” says Mr El Accad, who has banned all disposable straws, whether plastic or even paper, from the café chain.
One of the latest changes he has implemented at his stores is to offer refills of liquid laundry detergent, to save plastic. The two brands Organic Foods stocks, Organic Larder and Sonnett, are both “triple-certified - you could eat the product”.
The Organic Larder detergent will soon be delivered in 200-litre metal oil drums before being decanted into 20-litre containers in-store.
Customers can refill their bottles at least 30 times before they start to degrade, he says. Organic Larder costs Dh35.75 for one litre and Dh62 for 2.75 litres and refills will cost 15 to 20 per cent less, Mr El Accad says.
But while there are savings to be had, going green tends to come with upfront costs and extra work and planning. Are we ready to refill bottles rather than throw them away? “You have to change,” says Mr El Accad. “I can only make it available.”
