Irish AI start-up targets chemotherapy bottlenecks with remote assessment platform
The company, a spin-out from Trinity College Dublin's ADAPT Centre and backed by Enterprise Ireland as a High Potential Start-Up (HPSU), has demonstrated the efficacy of its conversational AI tool in a six-month pilot study conducted in partnership with Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) and Tallaght University Hospital (TUH).
The platform enables patients to complete chemotherapy toxicity assessments remotely in under six minutes, a process that traditionally requires in-person consultations. According to the study, the tool not only improves patient experience but also delivers measurable gains in clinical efficiency and cost savings.
The study found that, 'For patients, eAltra's pre-appointment remote assessment, completed in under six minutes, reduces unnecessary travel and optimises appointment scheduling – timed chemo production ensures treatment is ready when a patient arrives, eliminating wait times by up to two hours.' Patients reported high satisfaction with the tool's usability and clarity.
Clinical teams also stand to benefit. The study reported a minimum productivity gain of 3.5 hours per treatment day, equating to 20 minutes saved per patient.
Importantly, the AI chatbot achieved a 98 per cent agreement rate with nurse-led assessments, the current gold standard.
Scalable cost-savings
From a financial perspective, the implications are significant. In a hospital treating 200 patients annually, the tool could generate savings of €27,300 per nurse, rising to €55,000 with two clinical nurse specialists. Additional savings are anticipated from reduced paper usage.
The platform is designed for seamless integration with existing health IT infrastructure. It complies with HL7 standards and is interoperable with national systems including the National Cancer Information System, Cerner/Oracle Health, and EPIC.
Sustainability is another key advantage. By enabling remote care, eAltra reduces patient travel and associated emissions. With healthcare accounting for five per cent of global travel, the shift to digital engagement offers a meaningful reduction in carbon footprint.
Denis Roche, founder and CEO of eAltra explained that, 'eAltra is a spin out company of Trinity College Dublin and was awarded High Potential Startup status by Enterprise Ireland.'
Roche explained how, 'Health Innovation Hub Ireland has been supporting our development throughout these milestones. The clinical access, study design support and pilot management they have provided has contributed to our product development and market positioning. We are hugely ambitious for eAltra both at home and abroad and the HIHI pilot result provide significant evidence of efficacy, useability, impact and patient satisfaction.'
AI reshaping healthcare
Eimear Galvin, HIHI Dublin Manager, highlighted how AI is reshaping healthcare She said: 'These study results show that eAltra improves patient care, provides cost savings and increases productivity by streamlining processes and minimising delays in systemic anti-cancer therapy, in this case chemotherapy.'
Galvin added that by enabling remote assessments just 24 hours pre-appointment, unnecessary travel and associated costs are eliminated, ensuring timely rescheduling when required. She explained that, 'Timed chemotherapy production aligns drug preparation with patient arrival, reducing wait times by up to two hours and optimising pharmacy workflows.'
The announcement comes as HIHI launches a national competition, 'HIHI.AI', to identify and pilot AI-driven healthcare innovations.
The call is open to companies, researchers, and clinicians until 28 August, with selected projects to be trialled in clinical settings across Ireland. More information is available at hih.ie.
Digital care policy advances
eAltra's innovation aligns closely with Ireland's national AI strategy. As the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment stated in its 2024 strategy refresh: 'AI presents opportunities completely unlike those we have experienced before with previous technological advancements, in terms of their potentially transformative impact for our collective good.'
Ireland's 'Digital for Care' framework also underpins eAltra's approach. The framework sets out a roadmap to digitally transform health services in Ireland and improve access for patients, and at the European level, the European Commission has noted that, 'AI is emerging not just as a tool but as a transformative force reshaping healthcare delivery.'
The Commission has said that 'AI-driven personalised treatment plans can complement traditional approaches by offering more targeted and effective care, improving patient outcomes while also helping to reduce the financial burden on healthcare systems.'
By Brian Maguire
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