AI in Healthcare: Revolutionary Technology in Radiology
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized numerous sectors, but healthcare stands out as one of the areas with the greatest transformative potential. Ninsaúde, a Brazilian technology company, is leading this innovation with the launch of 224Scan, an AI-powered tool designed to streamline and enhance medical image analysis. In an interview with CNBC, Helton Marinho, CEO of Ninsaúde, shared details about the impact of this technology, its functionalities, and its global expansion potential.
In this article, we will introduce the 224Scan, highlighting its features and how it can transform healthcare with cutting-edge technology. We will also share excerpts from CEO Helton Marinho's interview, discussing the challenges and achievements related to this innovation.
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Shortage of Radiologists: A Global Challenge
Helton Marinho emphasized one of the major challenges in the healthcare sector: the shortage of radiologists. “In Brazil, some states, like Pará, have only 199 radiologists to serve the entire population. This problem is not exclusive to Brazil. In South Asia, for example, a population of 200 million people has just 2,000 radiologists,” explained the CEO.
This shortage directly affects the efficiency of healthcare services, with public hospitals facing delays of up to five days to deliver elective exam reports. In emergency cases, exams may be analyzed during critical hours, such as late at night, further complicating workflow.
224Scan: Reducing Exam Analysis Time
To address this issue, Ninsaúde developed 224Scan, a software capable of analyzing medical images in just 60 seconds. Currently, the average time for a radiologist to produce a report is 177 seconds. This significant reduction in analysis time is made possible through AI models trained to detect various clinical conditions, such as pneumonia, breast cancer, prostate cancer, stroke, and hernias.
“With 224Scan, the radiologist's work becomes much more efficient, helping both hospitals and public health units improve their operations,” Helton stated. The technology was entirely developed in Santa Catarina and positions Brazil as an important player in the global healthcare innovation competition.
Artificial Intelligence as Workforce
Helton highlighted a fundamental shift in how technology is perceived in healthcare: AI has moved beyond being a mere support tool to becoming part of the workforce. “In the past, we created tools for healthcare professionals to use. Today, AI itself performs the role of the workforce, taking on repetitive and routine tasks with excellence,” the CEO explained.
This automation trend is particularly relevant in a complex sector like healthcare, where each patient presents unique characteristics. By automating repetitive processes, AI allows professionals to focus on more strategic tasks and direct patient care.
Global Expansion and Technological Infrastructure
224Scan was designed to serve both Brazilian and international markets. Ninsaúde developed its platform in 14 languages and established a global infrastructure with servers located in strategic regions such as Taiwan, Singapore, Australia, London, South Carolina, and São Paulo.
“This global distribution enables us to comply with specific regulations in each region. For example, in Europe, patient data must remain within European territory to meet compliance requirements,” Helton explained. The company employs advanced security technologies, comparable to those used by major companies like Spotify and Gmail, to ensure the protection of medical data.
Integration and Operation of 224Scan
224Scan is designed to integrate with existing medical imaging equipment, such as X-ray machines, CT scanners, and MRIs. Helton explained that the software works with the standard medical image format known as DICOM, allowing it to be applied to machines from different manufacturers.
“Our system does not require proprietary hardware. We install the 224Scan Client software on the computer connected to the imaging equipment, making adoption easy in any clinical environment, including remote regions,” the CEO stated.
Benefits for Rural Areas and Regions with Few Healthcare Professionals
One of the key advantages of 224Scan is its ability to serve locations where healthcare professionals are scarce. Rural areas, both in Brazil and other countries, often struggle to attract specialized doctors. With AI, virtual workforce support can be provided to these areas, improving access to diagnostics and treatment.
224Scan: Surpassing Legacy Radiology Systems
224Scan is designed to eliminate the dependence on outdated radiology management systems by offering a modern, integrated solution. Its architecture centralizes the entire image and report workflow on a single platform, rendering fragmented and inefficient processes obsolete. This includes everything from exam issuance to report tracking and secure image storage.
Integration with PACS Systems
224Scan integrates directly with Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS), optimizing the workflow from image capture to report generation. With this integration, images are stored, organized, and accessed efficiently, facilitating communication between different departments within a clinic or hospital.
Technology and Compliance in Global Regions
Serving different global markets requires compliance with local regulations, especially in healthcare. 224Scan is already prepared for these requirements, offering data storage distributed across international servers in strategic locations. This ensures that patient data remains compliant with regional laws, such as GDPR in Europe and HIPAA in the United States, strengthening trust and adoption of the technology in global markets.
Although the initial focus of 224Scan is on image analysis, Helton revealed that the company is also exploring technology for sound analysis. Studies indicate that, through voice or other bodily sounds, it is possible to detect health conditions. “It’s still a developing technology, but we see great potential in this area,” he commented.
Why Invest in 224Scan?
224Scan offers several competitive advantages for clinics, hospitals, and health units. Here are some reasons why investing in this solution can transform healthcare services:
- Time Reduction: Reports generated in just 60 seconds, improving operational efficiency.
- Process Automation: AI handles repetitive tasks, freeing professionals to focus on strategic activities.
- Diagnostic Accuracy: AI models trained to detect various clinical conditions, increasing diagnostic assertiveness.
- Global Expansion: Technological infrastructure that complies with international data protection regulations.
- Access to Remote Regions: The ability to deliver diagnostics to areas with a shortage of healthcare professionals.
- Simple Integration: Compatibility with imaging equipment from various manufacturers.
- Data Security: Advanced encryption and access control, ensuring the protection of sensitive information.
The Impact of Brazilian Technology on Global Healthcare
Ninsaúde is at the forefront of healthcare innovation with 224Scan, a technology that not only enhances diagnostic service efficiency but also expands access to healthcare in remote areas. With a global vision and robust technological infrastructure, the company demonstrates how Brazil can excel in the international artificial intelligence landscape.
To watch the full interview with Helton Marinho about 224Scan, visit the link:
Moving Forward with Cutting-Edge Technology
224Scan is a clear example of how technological innovation can bring real benefits to the healthcare sector. By adopting advanced solutions like this, clinics and hospitals not only improve their workflows but also contribute to the development of more accessible, safe, and efficient healthcare. Companies that invest in technology today will be better prepared for tomorrow's challenges.
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Image Credits for Cover: 224scan site