Healthcare
Improving patient care and safety with AI
We are living in an age where there is far-reaching transformation in almost every field thanks to the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). The field of medicine is one such area where AI is making its presence felt, and how! One of the primary reasons that causes thousands of deaths around the world is due to errors or mishaps that occur in the area of patient safety. It has been found that such errors can be reduced, and patient care can be enhanced with the use of AI in medical applications and patient care. Let us have a look at some of the ways in which AI can truly make a difference.
- Improved patient monitoring
- Leveraging predictive analytics
- Individualised treatment plans
- Streamlined administrative tasks
- Reduction in medical errors
Gone are the days when patients made lists to track their medications. We are in the age of AI-driven wearable devices and remote monitoring systems that are transforming patient care by providing real-time data on vital signs and health metrics.
So, how do these AI-powered wearable devices make a difference in the life of patients? These devices are able to detect issues in many medical fields such as, radiology, gastroenterology, neurology or cardiovascular. These wearable devices monitor blood pressure, heart rate and glucose levels, providing continuous feedback to both patients and doctors. They have the ability to detect any kind of abnormalities and alert healthcare providers to possible adverse medical issues before they become critical.
Remote monitoring through AI is indeed a boon for healthcare providers and it enables timely interventions and adjustments to treatment plans, thus reducing the need for hospital readmissions and improving overall health outcomes.
Doctors always point out that for any kind of medical issue, early diagnosis and treatment is crucial. This is where AI-powered tools are making a mark through predictive analytics.
How is this done? Machine learning (ML) helps with inspecting and analysing large amounts of data from medical imaging, electronic health records (EHRs) and genetic information to identify patterns. The patterns seen can predict the likelihood of the patient developing diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. A case in point are AI algorithms that have been useful in the early detection of various types of cancer, such as breast and lung cancers. When analysing medical images, AI can accurately identify potential cancerous lesions that are not easy for the human eye to catch.
With the advances in medical technology, AI is now able to tailor personalised treatment plans for individual patients. Once again, this is done with the help of algorithms that can analyse and process extensive patient data, medical history, genetic information and lifestyle factors. Traditional medicine generally follows the trial and error process. This can be done away with through the AI-suggested personalised treatment plans that enable a more patient-centred approach to healthcare. Further, they are known to improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of adverse drug reactions.
Tasks related to administration are no fun for healthcare providers! AI helps in streamlining such tasks, allowing healthcare providers to focus more on what they do best - patient care.
What are the administrative tasks that AI could help with?
The burden on clinicians to handle administrative tasks is high since, apart from their regular work, they also need to ensure accurate and up-to-date patient records. In this case, there are natural language processing (NLP) algorithms that come to the rescue by transcribing clinical notes, extracting relevant information and populating EHRs automatically.
Resource allocation and scheduling are two of the most challenging and time-consuming tasks for healthcare providers. AI can help with both and improve patient flow and reduce wait times. By examining historical data and patient demand patterns, AI can predict staffing needs and ensure that healthcare facilities are equipped to deal with the volume of patients coming in.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally millions of patients suffer each year due to unsafe health care resulting in over 2.6 million deaths in just low-and middle-income countries alone.
Prescribing wrong medication, administering medication in an incorrect manner, surgical errors and failure to document patient allergies or potential drug interactions are but some of the common medical errors that can be fatal. The good news is that AI can step in and help reduce medical errors. For example, AI-powered systems have the mechanism to check patient data under clinical guidelines to suggest diagnoses and treatment options, thereby minimising the risk of human error.
Moreover, AI can improve medication safety by identifying potential drug interactions and ensuring correct dosages. Automated systems can flag discrepancies in medication orders, reducing the likelihood of prescription errors.
It is clear that AI systems can see patterns and trends that are invisible to the human eye. By utilising the power of AI and embracing it, healthcare providers can provide enhanced patient care and advanced safety options that will ultimately save lives and improve the quality of life.
How can Infosys BPM help?
Infosys BPM’sHealthcare BPO Services domain expertise, flexible operating model and integrated IT-BPM solutions address the changing dynamics of the healthcare industry. Our integrated IT-BPM solutions for healthcare are designed to transform healthcare operations, enhance patient experience and improve patient satisfaction.
