About Us
Redefining the Way We Identify the Risk of Serious Infection and Sepsis in Children
We are developing a novel approach for recognising the risk of serious infection and sepsis in children attending emergency departments.
The model will track vital signs and blood results continuously in real-time, rather than at a single point of a patient's journey. This method is more accurate, improves patient safety and reduces unnecessary treatments and admissions.
About The Study
Background: Sepsis is a serious and preventable condition that can be fatal for children all over the world. Researchers have created computer programs applying artificial intelligence (AI) to electronic medical records of patients. These programs are really good at predicting sepsis and what might happen to children who come to the emergency department.
Aims: The main goal of this study is to make a strong and accurate computer program that can identify the risk of sepsis and serious infections in children.
Design & Methods: We are going to develop computer programs by using advanced AI techniques. We will use the electronic medical records of children who visit the emergency department. Later on, we will create software that uses this program. This software will help doctors make better decisions, to save children's lives and make sepsis outcomes better.
Patient and public involvement: A group of young people will be part of this study. They will give their opinions and ideas as the study goes on.
How We Use Data
Our study will use anonymised information from multiple hospitals, including your child’s age, vital signs, and blood test results. We will not use your name, address, your contact details or any other confidential information that could identify you or your child. This fully anonymous data may also support future AiSEPTRON phases or other collaborative research, always with Health Research Authority approval and compliance with data protection laws.
When will this data be collected?
We will collect anonymous information regarding your child only between the 1st October 2024 to the 31st March 2026.
How can I opt out?
If you have chosen the National Data Opt-out scheme, your data will be naturally excluded from our study. If you plan to apply for National Data Opt-out or do not wish for your child’s information to be used in the study, you can always write to us. We will then exclude your child’s data from the study going forward.
What about my past data?
If your child’s data was collected during the study period, but before you opted-out or wrote to us, we will be unable to remove this information, as the process of anonymisation would be irreversible at this point.
How can I contact you?
You can contact us in confidence via either the website’s Contact page, or by writing directly to the research team of your local hospital.
Our Journey So Far
2019
Past
We created a novel triage-based electronic screening tool that combined with clinician assessment, to recognize sepsis in a paediatric emergency department.
2020
The Idea
We set up a team of clinical experts, data scientists, data analysts, statisticians and research nurses for developing an AI based prediction tool.
2023
Phase 1
We successful created proof-of-concept AI models, with NIHR funding, to predict the outcomes of serious infections and sepsis using retrospective data.
Present
Phase 2
We designed a research study to prospectively validate and refine the models across multiple sites. Funding is approved by the Evelina Children's Charity.
Future
Software
Following prospective multi-centre evaluation, we will develop preliminary software integrating the AI models. We will conduct pilot studies testing its performance and safety.
Final
Clinical Decision Support
We will build advanced software to aid clinical decision and widen its capability to integrate into various healthcare settings. We will conduct rigorous checks of patient safety and efficiency.
Our Location:
St Thomas' Hospital, London.
The Trust consists of St Thomas’ Hospital at Waterloo, including the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, and Guy’s Hospital at London Bridge.
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Our hospitals have a long and proud history, dating back almost 900 years, and have been at the forefront of medical progress and innovation since they were founded. We continue to build on these traditions and have a reputation for clinical, teaching and research excellence.
