Blog Post

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, with projections indicating that by 2050, one person could die every three seconds due to drug-resistant infections. In response, Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has developed an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) system aimed at optimizing antibiotic prescriptions for pneumonia patients, thereby combating the rise of antibiotic resistance.

The AI-Driven Solution: Augmented Intelligence in Infectious Diseases (AI²D)

SGH, in collaboration with DXC Technology and Synapxe, has introduced the AI²D system. This AI-driven tool assists doctors in determining the necessity of antibiotics for pneumonia patients by analyzing patient data—including symptoms, X-rays, vital signs, and infection response trends—to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections. This distinction is crucial, as antibiotics are effective only against bacterial infections. [Channel News Asia]

Pilot Study and Findings

The AI²D model was trained using anonymized data from approximately 8,000 patients treated at SGH between 2019 and 2020. In 2023, it was validated against an additional 2,000 cases. The pilot study revealed that AI²D accurately determined the necessity of antibiotics in 90% of cases upon initial diagnosis. Moreover, the study found that nearly 40% of antibiotics prescribed at the onset for pneumonia may have been unnecessary, highlighting the potential of AI²D to reduce unwarranted antibiotic use.

Implications for Antimicrobial Resistance

The over-prescription of antibiotics contributes significantly to the development of drug-resistant bacteria. By accurately identifying patients who genuinely need antibiotics, AI²D aids in minimizing unnecessary prescriptions, thereby playing a pivotal role in efforts to curb antimicrobial resistance. This approach aligns with global initiatives to promote judicious antibiotic use and preserve their effectiveness for future generations.

Future Developments

Following the promising results of the pilot study, SGH plans to conduct a comparative study involving 200 inpatients to further assess the effectiveness of AI²D in safely reducing antibiotic use. Additionally, there are plans to expand the AI model to address other common infections, such as urinary tract infections, thereby broadening its impact on antimicrobial stewardship.

Global Context and Similar Initiatives

The challenge of antimicrobial resistance is not unique to Singapore. Globally, healthcare institutions are exploring AI-driven solutions to optimize antibiotic use. For instance, China Medical University Hospital in Taiwan has implemented an Intelligent Anti-Microbial System that identifies drug-resistant strains and predicts sepsis, contributing to more targeted antibiotic therapies. [Healthcare IT News]

Conclusion

The development of AI²D by Singapore General Hospital represents a significant advancement in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. By leveraging artificial intelligence to guide antibiotic prescriptions, SGH is setting a precedent for integrating technology into healthcare to enhance patient outcomes and safeguard public health.