By Dr. Reid Maclellan

Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has become one of the most prevalent and expanding fields of study. The advanced technologies that AI employs give the healthcare tool an advantage that human caregivers and simple computers just don’t have: the unparalleled ability to predict and assist in the diagnosis of chronic diseases with unrivaled accuracy. This innovation in advanced early detection allows patients to receive treatment earlier thereby decreasing disease development. Furthermore, AI will transform the healthcare industry’s pervasive problem of administrative red tape that keeps medical professionals from delivering first-rate human-to-human care. Just imagine: seamless interaction with patient data, mitigation of previous nuisances and complications, exceptional care, and increased patient satisfaction.

AI & Early Detection

Artificial intelligence has been used across a multitude of different sectors of medicine to help predict and detect early signs of chronic diseases. Since its adoption in the health field, the usage of AI has proven to be particularly valuable in early detection. As it has consistently moved the needle forward on diagnosing diseases, patients have the benefit of earlier treatment, which slows the developmental disease stages and also reduces economic burden. Let’s look at a few examples of successful AI healthcare solutions.

Breast Cancer

In Japan, as part of the government’s “Knowledge Cluster Initiative,” one of their three computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) projects has resulted in the overall decrease of the breast cancer mortality rate by spotting irregularities in mammograms. Another AI healthcare solution has been adapted into personalized breast cancer sensors, where temperature and other factors are measured to help predict and diagnose the possibility of malignant forms of breast cancer.

Alzheimer’s

Artificial-intelligence methods used in Alzheimer’s—such as brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), arterial spin labeling–magnetic resonance imaging (ASL–MRI), electroencephalogram (EEG), positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans, and various algorithms—help to minimize errors, increase early-detection rates, and control disease progression. In addition, AI offers late-stage Alzheimer's patients the ability to send brain signals to external devices to communicate basic messages.

Cardiovascular Diseases

By feeding aggregate data, such as family history, age, drinking history, and more to a neural network, artificial intelligence can help to predict heart issues before they even arise. This sharpens patients’ awareness of their potential for heart diseases and encourages preventative health measures.

Reducing Red Tape & Saving Money

Apart from streamlining diagnosis and refining prediction, AI has also proven to be an invaluable change agent on the administrative side of medicine, a notoriously flawed aspect of the industry. As anyone in healthcare knows, and as many patients have experienced pre-, post-, and during doctor visits, nurses and physicians spend an inordinate amount of time managing administrative work. Implementing artificial intelligence into certain systems like claims processing, revenue management, and medical records elevates administrative efficacy. Healthcare professionals can spend more time providing quality care for patients and less time doing monotonous work with a computer. Here are three areas where we’ve seen positive change in healthcare administration because of AI:

Claims Processing

There is a flow of millions of claims that need to be verified, and without autonomous features carrying the burden of verification, this task falls on humans to do so. However, with the implementation of accurate and viable AI solutions, the entire process can be automated, saving healthcare companies money and valuable time.

Revenue Management

AI assists in the digital transformation of data and can handle accounts payable, reducing both the time administrative agents have to spend on follow-up calls and money spent on collection agencies.

Medical Records

Many clinicians must spend a grueling amount of time inputting medical records and handling systems such as EPIC, which causes a great deal of pain and waste the time of its users.

Using AI in healthcare administration streamlines workflow, reduces time-consuming and often mindless computer data entry, increases patient-physician face-time, increases quality care and patient well-being, improves nurse and physician quality of life, and ultimately saves time and money.

In short, artificial intelligence is working to revolutionize patient care and administrative systems in the field of medicine.