Artificial Intelligence air Safety Tool (AISaT)

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Assessing effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence air Safety Tool (AISaT) recommendations in outpatient, day-case rooms, and wards to reduce risks of airborne disease transmission

• IRAS ID

  353916

• Contact name

  Laurence Lovat

• Contact email

  l.lovat@ucl.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University College London

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 2 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  This is a series of clinical trials which are part of the Air Safety programme grant, funded in July 2024 by National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), led by Prof Laurence Lovat. The clinical trials are due to take place from year 2 of the 5-year grant.
  The Air Safety programme research team has developed an Artificial Intelligence air Safety Tool (AISaT). AISaT is computer software that guides users on how to best reduce airborne infection risks in hospitals, using cheap solutions like air filters, fans and screens etc. Our research programme will investigate whether AISaT works, is acceptable and cost-effective. We will also develop guidance on how to use AISaT across the NHS. These clinical trials in 2 hospitals (UCLH and Lister hospital) are a key part of our research programme, to assess the effectiveness of AISaT recommendations in outpatient, aerosol generating procedure rooms, and wards to demonstrate reduced infection risks.
  Our AISaT tool could allow higher hospital patient throughput while reducing risks of spreading airborne transmitted diseases such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and COVID. To do this, we need to understand how a successful AISaT tool would be implemented and what the barriers to that implementation might be. Alongside the clinical trials, we will undertake a series of studies using validated instruments to explore issues such as usability and acceptability to key stakeholders.

• REC name

  East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  25/EM/0156

• Date of REC Opinion

  24 Jul 2025

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion