Preparing for the unknown: A guide to future-proofing imaging IT

In an era of unprecedented technological advancement, the health-care industry stands at a crossroad. As health expenditure continues to outpace GDP in many countries, health-care executives grapple with crucial decisions on investment prioritization for digitization, innovation, and digital transformation. The imperative to provide high-quality, patient-centric care in an increasingly digital world has never been more pressing. At the forefront of this transformation is imaging IT-a critical component that's evolving to meet the challenges of modern health care.

The future of imaging IT is characterized by interconnected systems, advanced analytics, robust data security, AI-driven enhancements, and agile infrastructure. Organizations that embrace these trends will be well-positioned to thrive in the changing health-care landscape. But what exactly does this future look like, and how can health-care providers prepare for it?

Networked care models: The new paradigm

The adoption of networked care models is set to revolutionize health-care delivery. These models foster collaboration among stakeholders, making patient information readily available and leading to more personalized and efficient care. As we move forward, expect to see health-care organizations increasingly investing in technologies that enable seamless data sharing and interoperability.

Imagine a scenario where a patient's entire medical history, including imaging data from various specialists, is instantly accessible to any authorized health-care provider. This level of connectivity not only improves diagnosis and treatment but also enhances the overall patient experience.

Data integration and analytics: Unlocking insights

True data integration is becoming the norm in health care. Robust integrated image and data management solutions (IDM) are consolidating patient data from diverse sources. But the real game-changer lies in the application of advanced analytics and AI to this treasure trove of information.

By leveraging these technologies, medical professionals can extract meaningful insights from complex data sets, leading to quicker and more accurate diagnoses and treatment decisions. The potential for improving patient outcomes through data-driven decision-making is immense.

A case in point is the implementation of Syngo Carbon Image and Data Management (IDM) at Tirol Kliniken GmbH in Innsbruck, Austria. This solution consolidates all patient-centric data points in one place, including different image and photo formats, DICOM CDs, and digitalized video sources from endoscopy or microscopy. The system digitizes all documents in their raw formats, enabling the distribution of native, actionable data throughout the enterprise.

Data privacy and edge computing: Balancing innovation and security

As health care becomes increasingly data-driven, concerns about data privacy remain paramount. Enter edge computing-a solution that enables the processing of sensitive patient data locally, reducing the risk of data breaches during processing and transmission.

This approach is crucial for health-care facilities aiming to maintain patient trust while adopting advanced technologies. By keeping data processing close to the source, health-care providers can leverage cutting-edge analytics without compromising on security.

Workflow integration and AI: Enhancing efficiency and accuracy

The integration of AI into medical imaging workflows is set to dramatically improve efficiency, accuracy, and the overall quality of patient care. AI-powered solutions are becoming increasingly common, reducing the burden of repetitive tasks and speeding up diagnosis.

From automated image analysis to predictive modeling, AI is transforming every aspect of the imaging workflow. This not only improves operational efficiency but also allows health-care professionals to focus more on patient care and complex cases that require human expertise.

A quantitative analysis at the Medical University of South Carolina demonstrates the impact of AI integration. With the support of deep learning algorithms fully embedded in the clinical workflow, cardiothoracic radiologists exhibited a reduction in chest CT interpretation times of 22.1% compared to workflows without AI support.

Virtualization: The key to agility

To future-proof their IT infrastructure, health-care organizations are turning to virtualization. This approach allows for modularization and flexibility, making it easier to adapt to rapidly evolving technologies such as AI-driven diagnostics.

Container technology is playing a pivotal role in optimizing resource utilization and scalability. By embracing virtualization, health-care providers can ensure their IT systems remain agile and responsive to changing needs.

Standardization and compliance: Ensuring long-term compatibility

As imaging IT systems evolve, adherence to industry standards and compliance requirements remains crucial. These systems need to seamlessly interact with Electronic Health Records (EHRs), medical devices, and other critical systems.

This adherence ensures long-term compatibility and the ability to accommodate emerging technologies. It also facilitates smoother integration of new solutions into existing IT ecosystems, reducing implementation challenges and costs.

Real-world success stories

The benefits of these technologies are not theoretical-they are being realized in health-care organizations around the world. For instance, the virtualization strategy implemented at University Hospital Essen (UME), one of Germany's largest university hospitals, has dramatically improved the hospital's ability to manage increasing data volumes and applications. UME's critical clinical information systems now run on modular and virtualized systems, allowing experts to design and use innovative solutions, including AI tools that automate tasks previously done manually by IT and medical staff.

Similarly, the PANCAIM project leverages edge computing for pancreatic cancer detection. This EU-funded initiative uses Siemens Healthineers' edge computing approach to develop and validate AI algorithms. At Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, an algorithm was implemented for a real pancreatic cancer case, ensuring sensitive patient data remains within the hospital while advancing AI validation in clinical settings.

Another innovative approach is the concept of a Common Patient Data Model (CPDM). This standardized framework defines how patient data is organized, stored, and exchanged across different health-care systems and platforms, addressing interoperability challenges in the current health-care landscape.

The road ahead: Continuous innovation

As we look to the future, it's clear that technological advancements in radiology will continue at a rapid pace. To stay competitive and provide the best patient care, health-care organizations must prioritize ongoing innovation and the adoption of new technologies.

This includes not only IT systems but also medical devices and treatment methodologies. The health-care providers who embrace this ethos of continuous improvement will be best positioned to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

In conclusion, the future of imaging IT is bright, promising unprecedented levels of efficiency, accuracy, and patient-centricity. By embracing networked care models, leveraging advanced analytics and AI, prioritizing data security, and maintaining agile IT infrastructure, health-care organizations can ensure they're prepared for whatever the future may hold.

The journey towards future-proof imaging IT may seem daunting, but it's a necessary evolution in our quest to provide the best possible health care. As we stand on the brink of this new era, one thing is clear: the future of health care is digital, data-driven, and more connected than ever before.

If you want to learn more, you can find more information from Siemens Healthineers.

Syngo Carbon consists of several products which are (medical) devices in their own right. Some products are under development and not commercially available. Future availability cannot be ensured.

The results by Siemens Healthineers customers described herein are based on results that were achieved in the customer's unique setting. Since there is no typical" hospital and many variables exist (e.g., hospital size, case mix, level of IT adoption), it cannot be guaranteed that other customers will achieve the same results.

This content was produced by Siemens Healthineers. It was not written by MIT Technology Review's editorial staff.