Detecting fatty liver on ER imaging and improving follow-up
Improving Diagnostic Safety through STeatosis Identification, Risk stratification, and Referral in the ED (STIRRED)
This project uses computer tools in the emergency department to spot signs of fatty liver on imaging, notify patients, and link them to follow-up liver care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11135361 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have imaging in the emergency department, the project will use computer language tools to read radiology reports and flag possible fatty liver (hepatic steatosis). When a flag appears, clinicians will get an alert and you would be notified and offered a referral to liver specialists. The system will also sort patients by risk so those most likely to have advanced disease can get faster follow-up. The aim is to reduce missed findings and help people get earlier care before serious liver problems develop.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults who receive imaging in a participating emergency department and have radiology findings suggestive of hepatic steatosis or risk factors for NAFLD.
Not a fit: People who do not have imaging showing steatosis, are not treated at participating ED sites, or have no risk factors for NAFLD are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could catch fatty liver earlier and increase timely referrals to liver care, potentially preventing progression to diabetes, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Related work using natural language processing and clinical decision support has successfully flagged other radiology findings for follow-up, but applying these methods to NAFLD in the ED is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kontrick, Amy V — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Kontrick, Amy V
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.