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than £120,000 of funding for a unique computer system
- ISABEL - which allows any doctor to tap a list of symptoms
into a database and receive a list of possible diagnoses,
was announced today by Health Minister, John Hutton.
The
money will pay for a research project so that the device
- already used in childrens wards - can be developed to
diagnose symptoms in adults.
The
Isabel Medical Charity - set up three years ago by Jason
and Charlotte Maude - has supported the development of ISABEL.
Their daughter, Isabel Maude was transferred to the Paediatric
Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington
after an earlier misdiagnosis at her local hospital had
failed to detect the severity of her condition. Isabel recovered
during her two months in St Mary's. Since then, Dr Joseph
Britto, consultant paediatrician at PICU has worked extensively
on the production of this unique tool aimed at assisting
doctors and consultants in their decisions about the clinical
management of sick children.
Visiting
the PICU at St Mary's Hospital, John Hutton said:
"We
have been working closely with the Isabel Medical charity
to evaluate the system, and have been impressed by its usefulness
in diagnosing symptoms in children. It has considerable
potential to help patients and doctors. I am pleased to
announce that the Government will contribute £127,000
over the next three years for the development of an adult
version of the decision support system.
"This
funding will match an equal contribution from the Helen
Hamlyn Trust. I am hopeful that this will result in the
production of a valuable tool and make a significant contribution
to improvements in patient safety.
Clinical
Director and Co-Founder of ISABEL Clinical Decision Support
Systems, Dr Joseph Britto MD said:
"In
recent trials at 4 NHS hospitals, the ISABEL system has
been shown to improve the diagnostic accuracy of frontline
UK clinicians. ISABEL is unique, not just in terms of the
diagnostic tool, but through the ability to deliver into
the workflow of the clinician treatment guidelines, and
lessons learnt from error and knowledge. The ISABEL system
is likely to have a big impact on morbidity and mortality
rates."
Trustee
and Co-Founder of ISABEL Medical Charity, Jason Maude said:
"
The diagnostic error made in my daughter's case was a dramatic
example of how the model of healthcare delivery in the UK
can sometimes go wrong. The ISABEL system has been shown
to help clinicians improve patient care and safety and I
am therefore delighted that the Department of Health has
confirmed additional financial support."
Notes
to editors:
1.
The Isabel Medical Charity was established in April 2000
(UK Charity No: 1080342).
2.
ISABEL draws on standard medical texts, and comprises a
number of different integrated features, each one designed
to enhance the other. Its key features are a Differential
Diagnostic Tool (DDT), Treatment Algorithms, an annotated
Image Library and an Experience section.
3.
For media enquiries only, please contact Steve Ryan in the
Department of Health Media Centre 020 7210 5226.
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