GE HealthCare Launches Time-Saving AI Tool for Cancer Treatment
Key Points
- GE HealthCare has introduced a new artificial intelligence tool designed to help doctors who treat cancer save time.
- This tool, named CareIntellect for Oncology, quickly summarizes patient histories, tracks disease progression, and identifies suitable clinical trials.
- The company also announced plans for five additional AI tools currently in development.
Overview of CareIntellect for Oncology
On Monday, GE HealthCare revealed its latest innovation: CareIntellect for Oncology. This application aims to assist oncologists by providing quick access to important patient data. By summarizing a patient’s history and current health status, doctors can spend less time sifting through records and more time focusing on patient care.Healthcare data can be overwhelming. According to a Deloitte report, nearly 97% of data generated by hospitals goes unused. This data is often scattered across different systems and formats, making it hard for doctors to find what they need. Dr. Taha Kass-Hout, GE HealthCare’s global chief science and technology officer, highlighted the frustration this causes for clinicians.
Features of the New Tool
- Summarization of Clinical Reports:Â CareIntellect can quickly summarize patient reports and alert doctors if patients are not following their treatment plans. For example, if a patient misses a lab test, the system will notify the doctor.
- Clinical Trial Identification:Â The tool helps oncologists find relevant clinical trials that patients may qualify for. Traditionally, this process could take hours as doctors had to manually search through databases and check eligibility criteria.
- Access to Original Records:Â While the tool streamlines information, it also allows doctors to view detailed records if they want more information.
Future Plans
GE HealthCare plans to make CareIntellect available to U.S. healthcare providers in 2025, with an initial focus on prostate and breast cancers. Hospitals like Tampa General Hospital are already testing the tool. As a cloud-based application, it is expected to generate ongoing revenue for GE HealthCare.The company is also working on additional applications under the CareIntellect brand. These future tools aim to address various challenges in healthcare.
Additional AI Tools in Development
GE HealthCare is developing five new AI products, including:
- A team of AI agents that collaborate to support doctors.
- A predictive tool for aggressive breast cancer recurrence.
- A system that quickly flags suspicious mammography scans for radiologists.
Dr. Kass-Hout explained that these tools are designed to solve real problems faced by healthcare providers. Feedback from healthcare organizations will be gathered as they continue refining these innovations.
Health Companion: A New Concept
One of the exciting projects is called Health Companion, which will feature a team of specialized AI agents. These agents will offer insights based on their expertise in areas like radiology or genomics. For instance, they could help determine if a symptom is a side effect of treatment or a sign of disease progression.The goal is to provide doctors with immediate support similar to what they would receive from a team of experts, eliminating long wait times for consultations.Dr. Kass-Hout emphasized that this is still an early concept but aims to improve patient care while reducing the burden on clinicians.
FAQs
1. What is CareIntellect for Oncology?
CareIntellect for Oncology is an AI tool developed by GE HealthCare that helps oncologists summarize patient histories and identify clinical trials quickly.
2. When will CareIntellect be available?
The tool is expected to be available to U.S. healthcare providers in 2025.
3. How does this tool help oncologists?
It saves time by summarizing clinical reports and alerting doctors about deviations in treatment plans.
4. What other AI tools is GE HealthCare developing?
GE HealthCare is working on several other AI products aimed at improving various aspects of healthcare delivery.By simplifying complex medical processes through technology, GE HealthCare aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cancer treatment while supporting healthcare professionals in their vital work.
