SOLUTION PROVIDER Q&A


A Primer on How to Use AI in Modern Radiology Workflows


In which ways do you believe AI has real potential to transform hospital, medical group, and health system operations? What are the most promising use cases


happening right now? AI is the future of medicine. It has the sig- nificant potential to provide better and more affordable care throughout the entire system. But effective AI transformation requires uni- form practices for managing, sharing, and storing data. Practices and systems that are fully


operating in the cloud are already seeing the benefits of AI take root. Today, leading facilities are using AI to develop automated workflows, overcome unique anonymization challenges, and develop new therapies and treatments. And in the world of radiology, new algorithms are reducing physician burn- out and acting as an extra set of eyes for radiologists in identifying complex tumors and nodules in lung CTs, mammograms, and more.


What are the core challenges that still exist in leveraging AI for


these purposes? For all the excitement around AI comes critical issues surrounding security, data use, and ownership. Over the next several years, we’ll see new regulations that hope- fully maximize positive patient outcomes while ensuring data security. Outdated data systems continue to be


a major roadblock as well. Over the years, our customers have realized that medical imaging data, which was traditionally locked away in a back office cabinet and thought of as a liability, could actually be turned into an asset filled with invaluable insights that can lead to new and improved treatments and diagnostic abilities. Thankfully, change is here. Healthcare


systems and practices are in the midst of a digital transformation and many are mov- ing storage facilities to the cloud. AI in the medical field will not realize its full potential unless health systems fully adopt modern data storage and management practices. Lastly, we have to figure out the correct


insertion portion in a workflow for an AI tool to provide the most value. AI should improve a workflow for a clinician, not add to their stress. Another core challenge is


defining the person inside the organization who will actually use this product, moni- tor its success, and offer feedback. It’s very difficult to find the innovator inside of any given department. We have really tried to map and find the business owner who is a trailblazer and a risk-taker.


You have said the pandemic propelled AI forward - how so and how can a practice learn


from it? Ambra Health works with hospitals, health systems and practices of all sizes to consoli- date medical imaging into one flexible and interoperable cloud platform that lets pro- viders access imaging securely, anytime and anywhere -- a critical need in today’s socially distanced reality. Our team has worked with hospital IT


departments throughout the pandemic to rapidly deploy new field operations for con- tinuity of care when and where it is needed most. The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a new sense of urgency for modernizing medical imaging infrastructure. Facilities who already had a cloud strategy in place were easily able to establish teleradiology for field hospitals, enable cloud viewing for radiology departments, ensure remote surgical second opinions for patients, and even anonymize COVID imaging exams for research studies. To help contribute to the world’s under-


standing of the novel coronavirus -- we pro- vided Ambra Health technology for free to support a COVID-19 imaging repository and database to quickly bring breaking clinical and diagnostic advice to healthcare staff in the U.K. The benefit of the cloud and collaboration


is that institutions were sharing and running new Covid detection and triage algorithms. This started outside of the U.S., but quickly spread globally. This is the first of many sharing and learning opportunities.


When do you think it’s reasonable to expect healthcare organizations to see an ROI on their AI investments? Or is that


already happening now? Healthcare organizations are already start-


ing to see real-world ROI on AI investments -- especially as it pertains to automation


MARCH/APRIL 2021 | hcinnovationgroup.com 31 ambrahealth.com


and predictive analytics. We see the value in our own product everyday. Layering new AI applications within Ambra’s plat- form produces a powerhouse of innova- tive workflows, windows for research and development, and long-term improvements to patient care. For example, CureMetrix’s cmTriage™ AI-empowered breast imaging


and cmAssist®


workflows have shown a 30% reduction in mammography reading time. And another partner, Image Biopsy automates the task of repetitive Knee OA detection and delivers standardized reports to referring physicians.


Can you offer any predictions for how AI in healthcare will continue to evolve in the near


term? AI won’t replace your doctor, but it will make them more effective, smarter and free them up to spend more time being the compas- sionate care provider all doctors aspire to be. Just as automation has occurred in many industries from manufacturing to farm- ing, we’ll see a similar transformation in healthcare. It will enable humans to perform higher value emotional and judgment driven tasks, which is ultimately what humans are uniquely good at.


Morris Panner CEO Ambra Health


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