AI Revolutionizes Milanese Hospitals: From Sacco to San Raffaele, Biopsies Down by 30%
Milan, June 16 – Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the healthcare landscape in Milan, with a growing number of hospitals integrating or experimenting with AI-powered solutions. These innovations aim to streamline administrative tasks, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and foster more meaningful interactions between doctors and patients. Notable examples include the Fatebenefratelli-Sacco Hospital, Niguarda Hospital, San Raffaele Hospital, and the European Institute of Oncology (IEO).
Fatebenefratelli-Sacco Hospital: Enhancing Doctor-Patient Dialogue and Decision Support
At the Fatebenefratelli-Sacco Hospital, two key AI technologies are being implemented. Fabrizio Gervasoni, district director for Municipality 2 and corporate reference for telemedicine and telerehabilitation, detailed the initiatives. The first technology focuses on transcribing and synthesizing conversations between doctors and patients or their accompanying relatives. This system, utilizing an earphone and microphone, goes beyond simple transcription to create a structured summary.
“This allows the doctor to avoid typing the entire anamnesis after the visit, enabling them to maintain eye contact with the patient,” explained Gervasoni. “It reduces the time spent on IT tasks in favor of direct patient care.”
The second initiative involves testing clinical decision support systems, particularly in selecting optimal pharmacological therapies. AI is also being developed for telemonitoring with wearable devices, assisting in data synthesis and issuing alerts to patients in critical situations. Some of these systems are expected to be integrated into clinical practice by the end of this year.
Niguarda Hospital: AI for Documentation and Fracture Detection
Niguarda Hospital is leveraging AI to compile essential documents, specifically emergency room reports. An AI system listens to the doctor’s questions and the patient’s responses, generating a concise summary. Furthermore, the Radiology department at Niguarda has been utilizing AI for several years to identify fractures, especially small ones that are often challenging for the human eye to detect.
San Raffaele Hospital: Streamlining Discharge Processes
A pilot program in the rehabilitative cardiology department at San Raffaele Hospital (part of the San Donato Group), in collaboration with Bayer, aims to alleviate the bureaucratic burden on healthcare professionals. Luca Magrì, Head of Strategy at Bayer Italia, explained, “Patients in this department often stay for weeks and undergo numerous examinations. At the time of discharge, it takes almost an hour and a half to close the medical record and compile the discharge letter.”
AI rapidly collects all relevant data and generates a draft document, which the doctor can then review, integrate, and approve within 15-20 minutes. This innovation was recently showcased at AI Week in Rho Fiera. Magrì stated, “We are in the testing phase, and we will soon have the first official letter produced with AI.”
European Institute of Oncology (IEO): Revolutionizing Screening and Diagnosis
For the past four years, the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) has been dedicated to implementing tools that simplify staff tasks. Roberto Orecchia, the scientific director, highlighted their use in mammographic screening. “Our senology radiologists use AI tools that are among the most robust on the market. They accelerate the diagnostic process and distinguish patterns that the human eye cannot always perceive.” Orecchia emphasized that AI serves as an aid, not a replacement for human expertise.
Other AI tools at IEO are crucial for the diagnosis and staging of prostate carcinoma. Thanks to magnetic resonance imaging, targeted biopsies are performed only on suspicious cases, leading to a significant reduction of over 30% in such examinations. Orecchia reflected, “At a time when it is difficult to find qualified personnel, having these tools helps save time on repetitive operations.”
The widespread adoption of AI in Milanese hospitals signifies a pivotal shift towards more efficient, accurate, and patient-centric healthcare. These advancements promise to not only optimize clinical workflows but also enhance the overall quality of care for patients across the region.
Source: https://milano.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_giugno_16/milano-rivoluzione-ai-negli-ospedali-dal-sacco-al-san-raffaele-e-allo-ieo-biopsie-alla-prostata-calate-del-30-per-cento-c5f5b56b-74c4-4183-9008-766c32df9xlk.shtml
