In an era in which healthcare is challenged by cost, quality and access, Canadian providers continue to feel pressure to deliver world class patient care with less. Technology adoption and the shift to digital solutions can help mitigate these trends while improving access to care and enabling higher-value care models. This will require collaboration and strong partnerships that will enable innovation using advanced technologies.
To meet these challenges, some medical technology companies are investing heavily in the creation of solutions and technologies powered by artificial intelligence (AI) designed to help clinicians provide exceptional health care to patients in Quebec and Canada. GE Healthcare’s goal is to become the backbone of precision healthcare. Now is the time to make AI seamless and integrated with existing clinical workflow to automate repetitive tasks, reduce exam preparation and run time, reduce errors, avoid duplication, and increase throughput – all. by shortening the waiting time for patients.
“The CAR believes in the need to incorporate advanced technologies in radiology such as AI to help meet the increased demand and tackle the existing backlog for medical imaging in Canada. Although there are no silver bullets to solve the pressures of the current backlog, innovative digitized healthcare will help extend the reach of radiologists in providing optimal patient care.”
– Gilles Soulez, MD, MSc, President, Canadian Association of Radiologists
“GE Healthcare is honoured to work with renowned clinical teams in Canada, like clinician scientists at McGill Health Centre and the Canadian Association of Radiologists, to build on Canada’s existing AI leadership and accelerate innovation development and adoption in our healthcare system. There is limitless opportunity to thoughtfully leverage the power of AI to tackle the many challenges that our incredibly committed healthcare providers deal with on a daily basis as they constantly strive to improve the quality and access to care for Canadians from coast to coast.”
– Heather Chalmers, President and CEO, GE Canada, President, GE Healthcare Canada
Intelligent Image Reconstruction
Reconstruction of images through deep learning is one of the most impactful technologies to recently enter the radiology market. Using Deep Learning for MRI image reconstruction technology is used to improve signal-to-noise ratio and image sharpness while reducing examination times. Shorter exams leads to reduced waiting lists and while reducing the time the patient spends on the table. In many cases, this technology can cut the time for an MRI in half or a third. Clinicians and technologists will no longer have to sacrifice image quality for the duration of the exam.
AI at Point of Care
Artificial intelligence can now also be integrated into medical devices. A device-based solution increases efficiency and integrates AI technology into the technologist’s normal workflow, allowing them to reject or reprocess exams at the bedside and before images are sent to the picture archiving and communication system (PACS).
The Future is Now
We are now seeing how advanced technologies and AI can improve access to care without compromising quality. These technologies will support intelligently efficient delivery of care creating effortless workflows while reducing redundant tasks, such as repeat exams. AI technology can now embedded into medical devices, bringing image reconstruction for faster, lower dose exams as well as critical triage functions to the point of care. These advancements are now possible through advanced platforms that support AI development by businesses and third parties, for a more robust AI market and more robust implementation. GE Healthcare is committed to developing the most advanced technologies and has partnered with customers in Quebec and across Canada to provide real-world solutions that are cost-effective for patients and healthcare providers, in order to ” improve care when it matters.