Philips AI-enabled clinical applications platform helps to speed up diagnoses of bone fractures, providing faster, more efficient, high-quality care to millions of patients across Norway
The ongoing shortage of skilled radiologists and a high level of staff burn-out in many countries, including Norway, makes it more important than ever for clinicians to make efficient use of their time and effectively prioritize patients in need. Clinicians need workflow-enhancing solutions to manage growing workloads amidst staff shortages and help to deliver consistency and speed time to diagnosis and treatment, all while enhancing patient outcomes.
As part of a framework agreement with Philips, Norwegian healthcare provider Vestre Viken Health Trust uses Philips AI Manager, a cloud-based AI-enabled clinical applications platform. The large-scale deployment includes an AI-based bone fracture radiology application that will serve the needs of around half a million people across 22 Norwegian municipalities. Over a 4-year term with possible extension, the agreement has the potential to deliver clinical AI solutions to around 3.8 million people (70% of the Norwegian population) at 30 hospitals across the country’s four major regional healthcare authorities. It represents the largest and most comprehensive agreement for Philips to deploy enterprise-wide AI across a healthcare system in Europe.
“Applying Artificial Intelligence in our Radiology Department has surpassed our expectations. Besides improving patient flows, and quality of care to our patients, we have found that AI even finds fractures that doctors overlooked”, said Cecilie B. Løken, Technology Director at Vestre Viken Health Trust. “AI will become a central input factor in the healthcare services of the future, to drive efficient and good patient care.”
Reduced workload for staff and less waiting time for patients
Vestre Viken Health Trust’s radiologists spend most of their scan viewing time just to determine there is no fracture. That time can be used on diagnosing more subtle fractures where a radiologist’s experience and expertise are essential. For patients admitted to its emergency departments with suspected bone fractures, AI can reduce waiting time. Patients receive the benefits of a faster diagnosis, while radiologists benefit from a less stressful and more rewarding working environment.
“There is a pressing need to ease the burden on radiologists. By incorporating AI into our clinical applications and expanding access to third-party AI with an end-to-end platform, we help radiologists to be faster and more efficient, reducing routine work and offering advanced diagnostic support, leading to better clinical outcomes and patient care,” said Martijn Hartjes, Business Leader Clinical Informatics at Philips.
