St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) in Dublin plans to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate the early diagnosis, treatment, and management of cardiac conditions, the Medical Independent has learned.
SVUH is planning to develop a direct GP access AI cardiac ultrasound imaging service to help improve patient outcomes.
In a tender document seeking a supplier to provide the service, the hospital explained that advances in AI cardiac ultrasound imaging presented a significant opportunity to “enhance access to diagnostic-quality imaging for a greater proportion of the population”.
The document states that access to timely cardiac diagnostics in primary and community care settings remains “a significant challenge within the Irish healthcare system”.
“Delays in echocardiography referrals from general practice to acute hospital settings may contribute to delayed diagnosis, failure to initiate timely treatment intervention, and potentially result in missing an opportunity to treat disease before it becomes a significant problem for the patient or for the health service. Thus, early diagnosis is essential to ensure best possible outcomes for patients.
“SVUH has recognised the need to improve access to cardiac diagnostics at the primary care level, in line with national policy recommendations supporting GP direct referral to echocardiography. This initiative aligns with the HSE’s strategic objectives under Sláintecare to shift appropriate care from acute hospital settings to community-based services, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing waiting times.”
The service will “empower GPs and their patients” to proactively assess heart health and assist in ensuring all patients are facilitated in early identification and treatment of established or emerging heart disease.
“Under appropriate clinical guidance and governance, this has the potential to shift the model of delivery of cardiovascular care to a proactive model, where emerging problems are identified and treated at an earlier stage than has previously been feasible.”
The HSE is currently running a pilot for the same set of services under a short-term contract which is set to expire in early August 2026. This tender at hand is for a de novo service, implementing a grant awarded to SVUH by Pobal.
According to tender documents, the provider will deliver a comprehensive, end-to-end managed service that encompasses all aspects of service delivery, including facilities, staffing, equipment, handling software and AI-enabled software, referral and IT infrastructure, clinical governance, and reporting.
The service will enable GPs in the HSE Dublin and South East region to directly refer patients for AI-assisted cardiac ultrasound, with results reported back to the referring clinician in a timely and secure manner.
The off-site service will integrate with national health IT infrastructure, including Healthlink.
The hospital has valued the contract at €670,000 over a two-year period. The service should be operational within 12 weeks of any contract award.
The deadline for receipt of submissions is 5 June.
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