AI detects COVID-19 on chest x-rays with accuracy and speed

IMAGE: Generated heatmaps appropriately highlighted abnormalities in the lung fields in those images accurately labeled as COVID-19 positive (A-C) in contrast to images which were accurately labeled as negative for COVID-19... view more Called DeepCOVID-XR, the machine-learning algorithm outperformed a team of specialized thoracic radiologists -- spotting COVID-19 in X-rays about 10 times faster and 1-6% more accurately. The researchers believe physicians could use the A.I. system to rapidly screen patients who are admitted into hospitals for reasons other than COVID-19. Faster, earlier detection of the highly contagious virus could potentially protect health care workers and other patients by triggering the positive patient to isolate sooner. The study's authors also believe the algorithm could potentially flag patients for isolation and testing who are not otherwise under investigation for COVID-19. The study will be published on Nov. 24 in the journal Radiology.