A new AI model named PERISCOPE is changing how we care for patients after surgery. Developed through years of research and tested on over 250,000 surgeries across three hospitals, this tool can predict the risk of infection in postoperative patients within 7 to 30 days of an operation.
Infections after surgery—like wound infections, UTIs, and even sepsis—affect 5–20% of patients. These infections often lead to longer hospital stays, repeat visits, and higher treatment costs. PERISCOPE helps identify high-risk patients early so doctors can take preventive steps, improving patient safety and reducing healthcare burden.
How Does It Work?
PERISCOPE uses AI and machine learning to analyze patient data from the electronic patient file (EPD). Factors like heart rate, diabetes, past infections, blood pressure, and more are considered to predict infection risk. This data-driven insight helps healthcare teams provide personalized care without having to go through the entire patient file manually.
The AI model shows a patient’s infection risk as a percentage and places them into low, medium, or high-risk categories. It also displays relevant patient information, making it easier and faster for doctors, junior doctors, and nurses to make smart, informed decisions.
Tested and Trusted
During testing at LUMC, PERISCOPE was as accurate as experienced doctors, and even better when doctors were unsure or less experienced. This shows that AI support can strengthen clinical judgment, especially for younger or less certain healthcare professionals.
Saves Time, Supports Doctors
PERISCOPE won’t replace doctors—it’s designed to support clinical decision-making. It saves time by showing all necessary data in one place and helping teams decide:
- Who needs closer monitoring
- Who can be safely discharged
- Who should get follow-up visits sooner
The tool is already being integrated into LUMC’s system and will be live by mid-2026, with training provided to all departments involved.
What’s Next?
Researchers aim to make PERISCOPE even smarter by:
- Predicting different types of infections separately
- Making pre-surgery predictions
- Forecasting other complications like bleeding, readmission, or even death
This AI-powered tool marks a major step in digital health, offering a future-ready approach to postoperative care.
At The Doctorpreneur Academy, we empower doctors with tools and knowledge to thrive in the digital age. Innovations like PERISCOPE show the power of AI in healthcare and the importance of staying ahead with technology that supports patient safety and smarter decisions.
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