The Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital in Thailand has taken a significant step forward by incorporating AI and computational technologies into its newly launched pathology information system. This innovative approach is set to revolutionize the way pathology services are delivered and has the potential to greatly impact healthcare outcomes.

Revolutionize Pathology with AI at Siriraj Hospital

Integrated Laboratory Workflows

The 300-bed SiPH hospital unit under the Faculty of Medicine of Siriraj Hospital has integrated laboratory workflows, imaging scanning systems, and centralized data processing. This seamless integration allows for a more efficient and streamlined pathology service. Previously, in 2012 when SiPH opened, it did not have its own pathology laboratory and instead sent samples to the Pathology Department at Siriraj Hospital. Now, with the new PIS in place, everything is centralized, reducing delays and improving the overall workflow. 2: This integration not only saves time but also ensures consistency in data collection and analysis. By having all the systems working together, pathologists can access relevant information more easily and make more accurate diagnoses. It also enables better communication between different departments within the hospital, leading to a more coordinated approach to patient care.

AI-powered Features

The PIS, which went live in March, features speech-to-text and smart forms to simplify data entry. This is a game-changer as it reduces the time and effort spent on manual data entry, which is prone to errors. Another AI, powered by IBM processing technology, analyzes high-resolution slide images, streamlining the identification of potential cancerous tissues. Currently, this AI is applied to suspected prostate cancer cases, helping pathologists in their screening process. 2: The use of AI in this context not only speeds up the diagnosis process but also improves its accuracy. By analyzing large amounts of data and patterns, the AI can detect subtle changes in the tissue that might be missed by human eyes. This leads to more precise diagnoses and earlier detection of cancer, which is crucial for better patient outcomes.

Enhanced Workflow and Accuracy

“Speed and accuracy of work have increased significantly with the implementation of AI,” Dr Pornsuk Cheunsuchon, director of SiPH’s Digital Pathology Center, told Healthcare IT News. The PIS introduced significant automation to various aspects of workflow, including documentation and identification of high-risk cases. It can automatically order additional tests and provide alerts for major findings, reducing the manual workload and streamlining the overall diagnostic process. 2: For example, speech-to-text technology has reduced typing errors, making the documentation process more accurate. AI also assists in prostate cancer case screening by helping pathologists prioritize preliminary results. This allows for a more focused and efficient screening process, ensuring that potential cancer cases are identified promptly.

Expanding Services

SiPH’s AI-driven pathology service has now served over 14,000 test orders. The hospital is continuously upgrading and enhancing the system, including improving the user interface and experience. They plan to further expand “integrated, automated AI-powered diagnostics” to accurately detect more cancer cases. This shows their commitment to using technology to improve patient care and make a significant impact in the field of pathology. 2: By constantly evolving and improving the system, SiPH is at the forefront of using AI in pathology. Their efforts are likely to inspire other hospitals to follow suit and adopt similar technologies, leading to a wider adoption of AI in healthcare and better patient outcomes.