How AI Enhancing Operational Efficiency In Healthcare Sector

Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have been enhancing operational efficiency, thus improving patient outcomes across various dimensions, according to Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, eminent gastroenterologist and Chairman of AIG Hospitals.

"Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the healthcare industry," said Dr Reddy while delivering a talk on transformative role of AI in revolutionising healthcare at the recent 32nd HYSEA National Summit in Hyderabad.

Dr Reddy further stated. "At AIG Hospitals, AI is being leveraged to enhance efficiency, optimise operational management, and improve patient care. Contrary to concerns that AI will replace doctors, it is clear that doctors proficient in AI will outperform those who are not."

Dr. Reddy detailed AI's applications across four critical areas: health services management, predictive medicine, patient data analysis, and clinical decision-making. These innovations are not only optimising the operational framework of hospitals but also providing doctors with the tools to make more informed, accurate decisions.

One of the most significant ways AI is transforming healthcare is in the management of hospital services. AIG Hospitals, for instance, utilised AI to streamline the preoperative checkup process, which historically involved patients navigating through multiple evaluations before surgery.

"A key example is the preoperative checkup process," Dr. Reddy explained. "AI analysis revealed that patients had to navigate 17 checkpoints, which led to a high dropout rate. By simplifying and centralising this process, we saw a significant improvement in both patient adherence and operational efficiency."

Among the innovations introduced at AIG Hospitals is Mira, an AI-powered medical assistant designed to aid doctors, nurses, and patients. Mira is capable of answering common patient queries, reducing the burden of repetitive questions on healthcare professionals. Moreover, it assists junior doctors by providing access to updated medical literature.

"The implementation of Mira has greatly improved patient satisfaction and alleviated the burden on our healthcare team," said Dr. Reddy. "It’s become an indispensable tool in improving operational efficiency and ensuring patients receive accurate information quickly."

AI has also contributed to improving patient safety at AIG Hospitals. The implementation of iSAFE has drastically reduced these incidents, preventing code blue emergencies and saving approximately 100 lives each month.

"The iSAFE system analyses key health parameters and alerts doctors to potential issues before they escalate," Dr. Reddy shared. "This innovation has helped us reduce emergency incidents and significantly improved patient safety."

In the realm of predictive medicine, AI is helping doctors make personalised treatment decisions based on genomic analysis and biomarker-based predictions. A research initiative at AIG Hospitals revealed that genetic variations can render standard medication dosages ineffective for certain patients. With AI, doctors can now create tailored treatment plans for patients, improving the effectiveness of medical interventions.

AIG also developed PRISM, an AI-powered tool that transcribes and summarises medical consultations in real time, allowing doctors to focus more on patient care.

"PRISM is an AI-powered tool that transcribes and summarises medical consultations in real-time, significantly improving efficiency and enabling doctors to spend more time with patients," Dr. Reddy explained. "Once validated with 30,000 patient records, we plan to make it available to other healthcare institutions."

He also discussed the growing role of AI in diagnostics, citing a groundbreaking study where AI outperformed dermatologists in identifying a rare skin condition. In a similar case, AI was able to predict the likelihood of pancreatic cancer, while human radiologists had missed early signs in routine CT scans.

"AI’s ability to analyse vast amounts of data and identify patterns that might elude human eyes is a game-changer for early detection and prevention," said Dr. Reddy.

“AI is not just an auxiliary tool in healthcare; it is transforming every aspect of medical practice,” Dr. Reddy concluded. "Despite the challenges, the benefits—improved accuracy, accessibility, and efficiency- make AI an indispensable force in modern medicine. The future of healthcare will be driven by AI, and embracing its potential is key to delivering superior medical outcomes worldwide."

As AI continues to redefine healthcare, its integration is not just a matter of technological advancement but a paradigm shift in how medical professionals deliver care, making it more accessible, efficient, and personalised for patients everywhere.