UK’s NHS AI-powered heart patches double diagnosis rates at home

The NHS has started rolling out a new at-home heart monitor designed to detect heart rhythm problems, with the device being able to be posted directly to patients for self-attachment. The innovation aims to double productivity levels for diagnosing heart conditions while reducing hospital waiting lists and eliminating the need for trained physiologists to set up traditional monitoring equipment.

How it works: The ePatch system represents a significant departure from traditional Holter monitors that require extensive hospital-based setup.

• The device is a small patch that adheres to the skin, replacing traditional monitors that hook patients up to numerous wires during hospital visits.
• After wearing the patch for a few days, patients simply post it back, removing the need for appointments to fit and remove equipment.
• An AI tool called Cardiologs analyzes the collected data and generates reports for assessment by physiologists or doctors.

What you should know: Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is pioneering the rollout, with plans to expand across other NHS trusts.

• The system can investigate conditions including atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, and heart blocks.
• Traditional Holter monitors will still be used for hospitalized patients, but outpatients can access the new ePatch system from home.
• The patches can monitor heart rhythm for up to 10 days, compared to shorter monitoring periods with traditional devices.

Why this matters: The innovation addresses critical staffing shortages while dramatically improving patient throughput and diagnostic capabilities.

• “We’ve been running clinics by seeing maybe 30 patients in one day, whereas before, we were probably seeing 14 maximum – so we’ve kind of doubled our productivity,” said Suzanne Jordan, associate director for medicine at Frimley Health.
• Traditional monitors require trained physiologists for attachment, but there’s currently a shortage of these staff members.
• Studies show the ePatch “can spot up to 2.5 times more clinically relevant heart rhythm issues than the traditional Holter monitors,” according to Mark Leftwich, managing director for Philips UK and Ireland.

The big picture: The system uses a traffic light reporting system to prioritize patient care and streamline medical review processes.

• Green reports indicate normal heart rhythm within acceptable limits.
• Amber reports may require clinician review of the data.
• Red reports signal potentially significant pauses or arrhythmia requiring urgent medical attention.

What they’re saying: Medical professionals emphasize both the practical benefits and the continued importance of human oversight in AI-assisted diagnostics.

• “This smaller device allows us to measure at the moment up to 10 days. The benefits of it are that it is smaller and more convenient, rather than having different wires all over the place,” explained Dr Iain Sim, consultant cardiac electrophysiologist.
• “I think it’s natural for everyone to be concerned whenever you put the term ‘AI’ into something, but these are pretty well tested algorithms that still have human oversight,” Dr Sim added.

Key conditions monitored: The device can detect a wide range of heart rhythm abnormalities that often go undiagnosed.

• Atrial fibrillation (AF), which Dr Sim describes as “a really important and common condition,” including asymptomatic cases that could increase stroke risk.
• Various forms of tachycardia involving fast heart rates.
• Heart blocks of different degrees that may cause palpitations, fainting, or syncope episodes.