Atlantic Health System Monday was named a 2022 CIO 100 winner by Foundry’s CIO. The health care organization was recognized for its use of an artificial intelligence tool to analyze radiological images and flag those that call for expedited attention and review – helping to guide radiologists to direct life-saving care to those who need it most urgently.
For more than 30 years, the CIO 100 awards have recognized innovative organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of strategic and operational excellence in IT.
At Atlantic Health System, the Radiology Imaging Artificial Intelligence Analysis Project uses software that works with existing imaging review tools to analyze medical imaging using FDA-approved algorithms. The tool was implemented starting in April 2021, and has already been used to save lives.
“As with all technological innovations throughout our organization, the patient is always first and foremost at the center of anything we do,” said Sunil Dadlani, Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer. “This program embodies that approach in a unique way – it is both virtually a clinical assistant to our radiologists, and at the same time an advocate for our patients with the most urgent needs.”
Devon A. Klein MD, chairman of radiology and radiation oncology at Overlook Medical Center, who worked to implement this technology, said that at times radiologists’ tasks can be complicated by various factors, such as highly advanced studies, or patients who have a history of previous imaging that must also be reviewed.
“There is a multitude of data and other factors that radiologists must consider when interpreting a study and making a diagnosis, ranging from normal anatomy to different disease processes,” Dr. Klein said. “When patients are depending on us to quickly identify areas of concern that may need more immediate treatment, every moment becomes even more precious. Having a tool to assist in these considerations is an enormous advantage in these scenarios.”
Dr. Klein and Mr. Dadlani noted that at all times, the physician remains in control of all clinical decision-making; the AI-powered software rather acts as a “supporting partner,” by:
- Reviewing studies ahead of the radiologist, flagging images that it thinks contain abnormalities
- Moving flagged images to the top of the list to be reviewed by a radiologist
- Eliminating variability in reports and diagnosis
The most innovative characteristics of this project center around the method in which this AI supports the critical work being done by the physician, which in turn reinforces the doctor-patient connection. With this tool, AI takes on a variety of tasks, many of which were manual and repetitive in nature, to assist with getting the radiologist critical information as quickly as possible.
All of this results in AI giving the physician back the gift of time, which allows them to provide more expedited care in situations where seconds and minutes matter the most.
“Atlantic Health System is committed to continuously exploring how to incorporate innovative technologies into existing workflows to benefit both caregivers and the community,” Dadlani said. “This project is an example of building our organization along the trajectory of the health care field – artificial intelligence is the way of the future, as it facilitates timely interventions and improves patient outcomes, with the goal of better patient care.”
“As a leading health care organization, Atlantic Health System believes in technology advancements that serve medicine and empower clinicians to improve efficiencies, deliver the highest quality of care and achieve the best patient outcomes and patient safety,” Dadlani said.
Atlantic Health System will receive the CIO 100 Award at the CIO 100 Symposium and Awards, where top CIOs and IT leaders will gather in person for a highly interactive program August 15-17, 2022 at Terranea Resort outside Los Angeles.
“This year’s CIO 100 class demonstrates grit, innovation and deep teamwork. Many projects are related to streamlining data flows and insights to drive the business, bringing innovations like the metaverse to life, and driving value during the pandemic in myriad ways,” said Anne McCrory, Group VP, Customer Experience & Operations, Foundry, formerly IDG Communications, Inc. “We are honored to showcase these achievements and the people behind them as we gather in person once again for a team-based experience at the CIO 100 Symposium & Awards in California in August.”
