Innovative use of artificial intelligence and digital communication in acute stroke pathway in response to COVID-19

Acute stroke care demands real-time, specialist-led treatment decisions, including thrombolysis and referral for mechanical thrombectomy. Pathways designed to deliver time-critical interventions for stroke patients are under intense pressure due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this unprecedented burden on acute care services, stroke clinicians are having to reconfigure existing clinical pathways both within and between hospitals. Incorporating artificial intelligence and digital communication support into clinical pathways offers an opportunity to mitigate the disruption to acute stroke care. In this case study we describe how Royal Berkshire Hospital, working collaboratively with Brainomix, a UK-based artificial intelligence software company, adopted technological innovation and integrated it into the hyperacute stroke pathway. A case is presented to demonstrate how this innovation can support patient care and deliver successful patient outcomes. We believe this model can be adopted in other hospitals and networks to deliver safe and efficient hyperacute stroke care.