From left: Zafar Iqbal, Abdulrahman Hasna, Dr. Abdusamea Shabani, Prof. Khalid Al Ansari and Maha Al Henzab
Doha, Qatar: Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping physicians at Sidra Medicine’s Pediatric Emergency Department (ED) diagnose children faster, reduce waiting times and strengthen collaboration between emergency physicians and radiologists, hospital officials have said.
The AI-powered tool, which assists in interpreting pediatric X-rays, has been integrated into the hospital’s emergency workflow, enabling clinicians to identify potentially urgent cases more quickly while maintaining physician oversight.
Chair of Emergency Medicine at Sidra Medicine, Prof. Khalid Al Ansari, said the technology has already delivered measurable improvements in patient care.
“Our ED department has benefited from the AI tool implementation as it has helped in the faster interpretation of X-rays, particularly in challenging pediatric cases,” he told The Peninsula.
By prioritising cases that may require urgent attention, the technology has improved collaboration between the Emergency Department and Radiology, leading to safer and more accurate pediatric care, he added.
“As a result, we are able to provide both faster diagnosis and treatment, which means less waiting times and faster discharge or transfer of patients within the ED depending on the nature of the care required,” Al Ansari said. “This is particularly important for children, as we don’t want them to wait for long periods in pain or distress while moving between diagnosis and treatment.” While AI supports clinical decision-making, Al Ansari stressed that physicians remain at the centre of patient care.
“The AI interpretation is used as a tool to prove or disprove the findings of the clinical team. It also serves as a quick feedback mechanism on the team’s initial interpretation of the image,” he said.
He noted that the system has shortened reporting times and strengthened communication between radiology and emergency teams in a pediatric setting “where every second counts.”
“This combination of human expertise and intelligent support ensures safer, more reliable care for every pediatric patient,” Al Ansari said. “It is important to stress that the software does not replace clinical expertise. It enhances accuracy and confidence, ultimately speeding up the delivery of care to our young patients.” The technology has also been well received by families, according to Al Ansari.
“Our implementation of the AI tool in the ED is very seamless and has become part of our daily practice,” he said. “Families are reacting positively to how it is being used.” He explained that visiting the emergency department can be an anxious experience for parents, particularly when a child has suffered an injury.
“Following their child’s X-ray, there is peace of mind knowing that the images have been reviewed not only by skilled physicians but also by advanced AI technology designed to reduce the risk of missed injuries,” he said.
Sidra Medicine officials said rigorous safeguards have been put in place to ensure the technology remains safe and reliable for children of all ages. Director of IT Applications, Abdulrahman Hasna and Manager of Imaging Information Systems, Zafar Iqbal said all AI tools undergo validation and testing by specialist radiologists before being introduced into clinical practice.
“The tool we implemented is internationally recognised, both CE-marked and FDA-cleared, and is supported by published evidence,” they said. The system is continuously monitored through quality assurance processes, with AI findings routinely validated against radiologists’ reports under ongoing clinical oversight to ensure reliable performance across the pediatric population.
Importantly, they noted, the original diagnostic X-ray remains unchanged.
“The AI analysis is displayed on a separate copy of the image alongside the original, allowing physicians to independently review both the original image and the AI findings,” they said.
According to the IT team, the hospital deliberately designed the implementation to fit naturally into clinicians’ existing workflow.
“Clinicians and radiologists do not need to open or use a different application or user interface,” Hasna and Iqbal said.
“The AI solution is tightly integrated within the existing clinical workflow.” By providing rapid image analysis and highlighting areas of potential concern within the same imaging application, the technology enables physicians to focus their attention more efficiently while maintaining high standards of clinical assessment and patient care, they added.
Looking ahead, Sidra Medicine expects AI to play an increasingly important role in pediatric healthcare. “AI has significant potential to enhance pediatric healthcare by supporting earlier diagnosis, improving workflow efficiency and assisting clinicians in managing increasing healthcare demands,” Hasna and Iqbal said.
“As these technologies continue to evolve, they are expected to become valuable tools that complement clinical expertise and help deliver even safer and more personalised care for children.”
They said that Sidra Medicine recently presented its approach to AI implementation in pediatric healthcare at HIMSS 2024 in Orlando, highlighting the emerging role of AI in children’s healthcare settings. Beyond emergency medicine, the hospital has introduced additional AI-powered diagnostic tools within its Radiology and Imaging services and is working with other clinical teams on several AI initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency while delivering better patient outcomes.
