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Samantha Davey and David Evans from Medica Group recently shared insights into Medica’s integration of AI technology into their teleradiology workflows. Medica, one of the largest teleradiology companies in the UK, provides critical diagnostic support to over 100 NHS hospitals. With over 500 radiologists and operations spanning the UK, Europe, and beyond, Medica has steadily grown from its early days in the town of Battle to a publicly listed company, now based in Hastings. Today, Medica is widely known for both its elective reporting services, which offer flexible 24- to 48-hour turnaround times, and its 24/7 emergency service, NightHawk, which guarantees rapid reporting within 23 minutes.
David, Medica’s Functional Architect, described the company's evolution and dedication to innovation. Having worked at Medica since 2008, David played a key role in integrating Qure.ai’s QER AI technology into Medica's emergency NightHawk portal, a system designed to support acute care by prioritizing urgent cases like intracranial hemorrhage detection. Medica's decision to adopt Qure.ai’s QER technology was driven by a commitment to pioneering healthcare technology that benefits both clinicians and patients, with a specific focus on improving speed and accuracy in acute settings.
The collaboration with Qure.ai began after careful planning and pilot testing. Samantha, Medica’s Head of Program Delivery, noted that the process included feedback from Medica’s radiologists, which helped guide the integration. She explained that Medica’s priority was to ensure QER’s impact on workflow efficiency, particularly by allowing radiologists to prioritize critical cases more quickly. This integration with NightHawk enables the Medica team to identify high-priority cases like potential hemorrhages flagged by QER, allowing immediate action and faster decision-making for frontline healthcare professionals.
For organizations considering teleradiology partnerships, Samantha and David stressed the importance of selecting a clinically led provider with robust governance. Medica’s approach is to act as a strategic partner rather than simply a service provider, aiming to supplement a hospital’s existing radiology resources. This focus on clinical oversight, supported by Medica’s in-house technology team, underscores the company’s commitment to patient outcomes. Medica's model provides radiologists with full access to a patient's medical history and prior imaging, creating a seamless experience that aligns closely with in-house clinical practices.
NightHawk’s emergency reporting service epitomizes Medica’s dedication to rapid, clinically governed diagnostics. Each night, NightHawk’s radiologists manage high volumes of cases, providing consultative support to emergency doctors and advising on the necessity of imaging when appropriate. In situations where urgent findings are detected, radiologists notify clinicians directly, ensuring that critical cases receive immediate attention. Integrating QER into NightHawk's portal has enhanced Medica's ability to prioritize these cases even more effectively, as the AI flags potential issues in real time. This allows Medica to deliver on its commitment to high-speed, accurate reporting, even with substantial data transmission requirements across wide networks.
Looking forward, both David and Samantha highlighted that Medica’s partnership with Qure.ai continues to evolve as they fine-tune their AI integrations to optimize response times. By innovating with AI and maintaining a clinician-centered approach, Medica reinforces its role as a leading teleradiology partner for hospitals across the UK and beyond.
