Using artificial intelligence in an innovative way at the Bari Polyclinic for research projects and support for diagnostic imaging: this is what was illustrated by the general director, Antonio Sanguedolce, during a round table at the Sanità 20/30 Laboratory, which ended yesterday in Udine. The event held at Villa Manin brought together national and European experts, public and private managers, institutions, healthcare professionals to share and evaluate opportunities and risks in the application of AI to healthcare.
“Artificial intelligence applied to healthcare promises to revolutionize the way we prevent, diagnose and treat diseases. It is therefore essential to immediately address essential regulatory issues, such as aspects of medical-legal liability or the acceptability of new diagnostic systems by doctors and patients”, highlighted the director general Sanguedolce in his speech.
Three projects from the Policlinico were presented, two research projects and one application in the clinical practice of radiodiagnostics. In the university internal medicine operating unit “Baccelli”, Professor Angelo Vacca started during the pandemic by conducting a study to recognize the typical signs of interstitial pneumonia from Covid-19 thanks to the use of algorithms based on artificial intelligence. The results could be useful today to investigate the early lung status of patients.
The second research project in the “Murri” internal medicine operational unit, directed by Professor Piero Portincasa, concerns the use of AI in the early identification of hepatic steatosis through rapid ultrasound scans of the liver. While artificial intelligence software can be activated in the breast-oriented radiodiagnostics operational unit, directed by prof. Marco Moschetta, to support the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lesions in breast ultrasound and tomography. “We firmly believe that, with adequate regulation and continuous training, these technologies can be a precious ally to optimize the management of clinical pathways and improve the provision of healthcare services”, concluded Antonio Sanguedolce.
