When people breathe, speak or cough, they spray saliva into the air. The smallest droplets, (aerosols), remain suspended and spread widely. Viruses in these droplets can infect others, particularly indoors. Increasing room air flow lowers risk but usually needs expensive building work and/or high energy costs. Simple, low-cost techniques to reduce infection risks are urgently needed. Our research involves developing an Artificial Intelligence air Safety Tool (AISaT), a computer software that guides users on how to best reduce airborne infection risks in hospitals, using cheap solutions like air filters.

This research is based on extensive patient engagement. Our patient advisory group will remain involved throughout the research. Initially, we will clarify NHS air safety needs and identify practical, low-cost retrofit solutions.

Software development will allow the AISaT software to work in increasing complex scenarios, initially consulting rooms, progressing to procedure rooms and hospital wards. Simple room-based solutions (e.g. fans, screens, air filters) based on AISaT recommendations, will be tested first in laboratory conditions using our breathing robot system. This accurately reproduces aerosol droplets produced by people. We will confirm the recommended solutions by doing complex computer simulations. Once we show that the system works in the laboratory, we will move to a clinical environment. Clinical trials will investigate whether the AISaT software reduces infection risks and whether patients and clinicians find it acceptable.

We will assess cost effectiveness from different perspectives. Finally, we will explore whether the AISaT software can be safely and effectively used in diverse NHS hospitals serving populations with different levels of deprivation before developing NHS-wide rollout guidance.

We seek to embed our AISaT software in NHS hospitals to help reduce risks of transmitting airborne infections. This will allow higher patient throughput while reducing risks of spreading disease. Our patient advisory group, enriched for diversity, will help us explore needs better. We will also work with young people through public competition and work experience to excite them about how scientific research can help solve complex medical problems. We will publish our work and engage with key professional bodies, national policy-makers and media to ensure our findings are widely known and acted-on by NHS hospitals. We will also create multimedia information to help patients understand how the tools we are using work.