Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital in Thailand has incorporated artificial intelligence and computational technologies into its recently launched pathology information system.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT
The PIS system at the 300-bed SiPH, an inpatient unit of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, integrates laboratory workflow, imaging scanning systems and centralized data processing.
Previously, SiPH, opened in 2012, did not have its own pathology laboratory. “[We] instead, he sent the samples to the pathology department of Siriraj Hospital,” said Dr. Pornsuk Cheunsuchon, director of SiPH’s Digital Pathology Center.
When planning this system in slow 2021, artificial intelligence was the main factor taken into account. The PIS system, which was launched in early March, offers a speech-to-text function and wise forms that simplify data entry. Another AI, based on IBM processing technology, analyzes high-resolution slide images, improving the identification of potential cancerous tissues – this AI is currently used in cases of suspected prostate cancer.
The PIS system also uses IBM solutions for storing and securing data.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
“The speed and accuracy of work has increased,” said Dr. Cheunsuchon to the question about implementing AI. He noted that PIS had “introduced significant automation into various aspects of the workflow,” including documentation and identification of high-risk cases. The system can also automatically order additional tests and notify you of earnest results.
“For example, speech-to-text technology has reduced typing errors, while artificial intelligence is assisting in prostate cancer screening by helping pathologists prioritize initial results,” Dr. Cheunsuchon said.
“The system enables automatic ordering of additional tests and filtering of cases to alert on significant results, thus reducing the burden of manual work and streamlining the entire diagnostic process,” he added.
SiPH’s AI-powered pathology service has now processed over 14,000 test requests. The hospital is constantly modernizing and improving the system, including the user interface and experience. SiPH plans to further develop “integrated, automated, artificial intelligence-based diagnostics” to accurately detect more cancer cases.
A BIGGER TREND
In digital pathology, another Asian hospital, Samsung Medical Center in South Korea may have the most comprehensive system in the world. Last year, it became the first hospital in the world to achieve stage 7 on the HIMSS scale Digital image use model. Among the features of the integrated digital pathology system is 5G network connectivity, which has reportedly helped significantly in reducing diagnostic consultation times.