While the healthcare sector is abuzz with the potential of generative AI and tools like ChatGPT, the article from MedCity News suggests that the most impactful AI tool for clinical care might actually be extractive AI. This technology is particularly valuable for converting unstructured data, such as handwritten text in images or PDFs sent via digital fax, into structured data. This capability is crucial for enhancing data interoperability and supporting health equity, especially for healthcare facilities with limited technological resources. A significant challenge in healthcare is that 80% of data is unstructured, often in formats like handwritten notes. This data…
Author: Abhay Panchal
US Digestive Health (USDH), one of the largest gastroenterology practices in the United States, has announced its partnership with Southwest Gastroenterology Associates (SWGA), further expanding its comprehensive gastroenterology care services in Pennsylvania. This partnership enhances USDH’s presence in Southwest Pennsylvania, particularly in Allegheny, Greene, and Washington counties. Seven medical providers from SWGA will join USDH, bringing specialized knowledge and treatment for various gastrointestinal conditions, including GERD, ulcers, IBD, and colon cancer screening. This collaboration allows SWGA physicians to focus more on patient care and the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of digestive system-related conditions. Jerry Tillinger, CEO of US Digestive Health…
A study co-authored by MIT economist Josh Angrist reveals that colon cancer screenings are significantly more effective than previously thought. Analyzing data from five trials across various countries, the study found that screenings reduce colon cancer rates by about 0.5 percent, which is double the impact estimated by earlier studies. This new finding is based on the actual screening effect, rather than just the effect of being invited for screening. The study highlights a common issue in clinical trials: nonadherence to the intended treatment, especially in trials involving uncomfortable procedures like colon cancer screenings. Many participants offered screenings through colonoscopy…
The West Park Hospital board has approved the investment in the Da Vinci Xi robotic surgery system at Cody Regional Health (CRH) to enhance patient and surgeon experiences. The system, controlled by surgeons, offers benefits like less pain, reduced infection risk, minimal scarring, and quicker recovery. It’s widely used in Wyoming for various surgeries, including inguinal hernias and prostatectomies. The goal is to implement the robot by March and complete the first surgery by January. The system is ideal for delicate and complex surgeries, allowing surgeons to perform with greater precision. The total cost of the Da Vinci is around…
ClearNote Health, a company dedicated to improving cancer outcomes through early detection and aiding in the development of better drugs, has announced a collaboration with Bayer. This partnership focuses on evaluating biological mechanisms underlying patient responses and resistance to treatments for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. The collaboration will utilize ClearNote Health’s advanced epigenomic cancer detection platform, applied to liquid biopsy samples, to monitor patient responses to prostate cancer therapies. This initiative is aimed at providing a more in-depth understanding of the disease biology, which is crucial for advancing Bayer’s precision medicine programs specifically targeting prostate cancer. ClearNote Health’s epigenomic platform…
A recent study revealed that colonoscopies cost significantly more at hospitals compared to Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs). The study, led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and published in JAMA Health Forum, analyzed facility fees for colonoscopy procedures covered by private health insurance across the United States. Key findings of the study include:
The tool is designed for use in the real-time analysis of Barrett’s Esophagus (BE) and early esophageal cancer during endoscopy procedures. Barrett’s Esophagus, a condition linked to long-term reflux or heartburn, affects approximately 150 million people globally, with a risk of developing cancer each year. The current method of endoscopic surveillance involves multiple biopsies, but this often results in missed early cancers. Veritai aims to improve this by detecting dysplasia or early cancer within the entire BE segment in the esophagus. The FDA’s Breakthrough Device Designation is granted to innovative technologies that can significantly improve patient outcomes for life-threatening or…
The American College of Gastroenterology recently released a guideline on acute liver failure (Am J Gastroenterol 2023;118[7]:1128-1153). GEN’s Sarah Tilyou spoke with guideline senior author Lafaine Grant, MD, an associate professor of internal medicine in the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases at UT Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas, about the impetus for the guideline and what it means to GI practice. GEN: What prompted the guideline? Dr. Grant: It’s well recognized that acute liver failure is a devastating disease. But it only occurs in approximately 2,000 patients in the United States annually, and so it’s a rare disease, with…
A novel artificial intelligence algorithm could help standardize and improve the evaluation of endoscope instrument channels with borescopes, according to data presented at the 2023 annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology. Analysis of the algorithm showed effective detection and classification of defects in endoscope channels compared with manual review. “Manual inspection of endoscope working channels with borescopes currently lacks standardization and is a time- and focus-intensive process,” lead investigator Sagar Shah, MD, told GEN Priority Report. “Future advancements in this technology could improve quality control of inspections and augment decision making pertaining to endoscope reprocessing,” added Dr. Shah,…
Dive deep with Dunston Almeida, Founder and CEO of triValence, as he explores the transformative power of data in gastroenterology (GI). In his compelling narrative, Dunston Almeida underscores the necessity of integrating technology in GI: “In an era where technology is reshaping every aspect of our lives, the GI sector cannot remain an exception. By embracing innovative solutions and data-driven approaches, we can significantly advance patient outcomes and streamline healthcare delivery.” Highlights: This conversation is vital even as you reimagine gastroenterology ASCs for the next decade. Don’t miss this one.