Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a crucial component of healthcare to help augment physicians and make them more efficient. In medical imaging, it is helping radiologists more efficiently manage PACS worklists, enable structured reporting, auto detect injuries and diseases, and to pull in relevant prior exams and patient data. In cardiology, AI is helping automate tasks and measurements on imaging and in reporting systems, guides novice echo users to improve imaging and accuracy, and can risk stratify patients. AI includes deep learning algorithms, machine learning, computer-aided detection (CAD) systems, and convolutional neural networks. 

HealthAffairs: Hospitals could play waiting game for ROI on health IT

Although health IT, such as computerized physician order entry (CPOE) and EHRs, has the potential to improve the quality of healthcare in the U.S., achieving substantive benefits from implementing health IT may be a lengthy process, according to a study in the April edition of Health Affairs.

Harris delivers updated NHIN software

Harris Healthcare Solutions has released Connect 2.4, the latest version of its Connect software, to enable healthcare organizations to exchange patient information on the Nationwide Health Information Network.

Virtual colonoscopy grabs spotlight in D.C.

Sometimes it appears that CT colonography just cant avoid the spotlight.In what was expected to be a straightforward two-day public hearing called by the FDA to discuss medical radiation, the issue of CT colonography succeeded in creating some controversy in the mainstream press.

NetApp to expand object-based storage portfolio with Bycast purchase

NetApp has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bycast, a privately held company headquartered in Vancouver, in an undisclosed all-cash transaction.

HIMSS: More hospital security breaches in 2010, but greater awareness

The number of healthcare facilities that reported a breach in security that requires notification increased 6 percent from 13 percent in 2008 to 19 percent in 2010, according to the 2010 HIMSS Analytics report on the security of patient data, commissioned by Kroll Fraud Solutions.

PwC: Mobile technologies will play role in future preventive care methods of reform

The next phase of U.S. healthcare reform will reflect a concerted effort to keep people well, out of the hospital and more actively engaged in managing their own health, according to findings from a report issued this month from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Secretary Sebelius selects five new HHS regional directors

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has appointed five new regional directors of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

John Muir Health informs nearly 5.5K patients about breach

John Muir Health began notifying 5,450 patients by mail about a potential breach of their personal and health information on April 5. The notification follows the theft of two laptop computers at the John Muir Physician Network perinatal office in Walnut Creek, Calif., in February.

Around the web

RBMA President Peter Moffatt discusses declining reimbursement rates, recruiting challenges and the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the industry.

Deepak Bhatt, MD, director of the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital and principal investigator of the TRANSFORM trial, explains an emerging technique for cardiac screening: combining coronary CT angiography with artificial intelligence for plaque analysis to create an approach similar to mammography.

A total of 16 cardiology practices from 12 states settled with the DOJ to resolve allegations they overbilled Medicare for imaging agents used to diagnose cardiovascular disease.