Human and Artificial Intelligence Team Up to Improve Patient Care
Most of us never meet the radiologists reading our X-rays, CT scans, or mammograms. Yet, these physicians play a critical role in interpreting images that lead to an accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and a successful outcome.
“Where you go for imaging matters,” says Devon A. Klein, MD, MPH, MBA, chairman of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, Overlook Medical Center. “Our radiologists at Atlantic Health System medical and imaging centers are physicians who use cutting-edge imaging technology to diagnose and treat injuries and diseases. They include board-certified, fellowship-trained radiologists, who specialize in interpreting images of the breast, brain, heart, neck, abdomen, and musculo-skeletal system. There are also radiologists specialized in nuclear medicine and pediatric imaging, as well as interventional radiologists trained in diagnosing and treating diseases through minimally invasive, image-guided procedures in CT, ultrasound, MRI, and fluoroscopy.
“Our patients have the added confidence of knowing that our radiologists’ skills are supported by artificial intelligence (AI)/algorithm-based technology to assist in making quick, accurate diagnoses that will further expedite care and improve overall patient outcomes.”
Putting Critical Cases First
Aidoc – one of Atlantic Health System’s newest AI-based decision-support software tools – analyzes and triages medical images directly after a patient is scanned, alerting physicians of potential critical situations such as brain bleeds, cervical spine fractures, blood clots in the lungs, rib fractures, and bowel injury. By automatically moving up these scans to the top of the reading list, radiologists can quickly notify and activate multispecialty care teams for expedited treatment. More timely interventions result in better patient outcomes.
“Aidoc is particularly helpful in our emergency departments, where there are multiple patients being scanned and when minutes count for those in life-threatening situations,” observes Anthony Mungo, director of Radiology at Overlook Medical Center, noting that Atlantic Health System was recognized for “enterprise excellence” by Foundry’s CIO for its use of an artificial intelligence tool to analyze radiological images and flag those that warrant expedited attention and lifesaving care.
Uncovering Hidden Health Issues
AI technology is also useful ensuring that incidental (unsuspected) findings are communicated with referring physicians. The patient may never have had symptoms, but the incidental findings can prompt an evaluation with the appropriate specialist and a path to treatment.
“Advances in medical imaging, coupled with digital and communication technologies have had a huge impact on the diagnosis and treatment of disease,” comments Lauren Yedvab, chief operating officer, Overlook Medical Center. “The future of imaging is human talent coupled with AI-enabled software. We’ve allocated significant resources to both areas to deliver the highest quality of care to our patients. By merging the experience and brain power of our highly trained radiologists with the power of big data and machine learning throughout our network of hospitals and imaging centers, we are elevating the standard of care for more than half the state’s population.”
Atlantic Health System has radiology services at Chilton, Hackettstown, Morristown, Newton and Overlook medical centers, along with Goryeb Children’s Hospital and a variety of outpatient locations. Services vary by location. See a complete list of our imaging centers >
Atlantic Health System Is Among a Select Few Health Care Systems Using AI Technology Across Multiple Specialty Areas to Help:
- Pinpoint abnormal masses in mammograms
- Identify patients at higher risk for breast cancer
- Create 3-D images of the heart to analyze the impact of blockages on blood flow
- Evaluate risk of heart disease
- Diagnose stroke, aneurysms, pulmonary embolism, lung and thyroid nodules, spine and rib fractures, and more