The smart future of healthcare
Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving the healthcare industry – and Fresenius is leveraging its capabilities to enhance the patient experience and broaden treatment options. Smart automation processes are a key factor and we develop intelligent analysis tools to support medical professionals in areas such as evaluation of diagnostic tests.
We always protect the sensitive health data of our patients – in line with our guidelines, our Fresenius Principles, and all relevant legislation and regulations.
More time for patients thanks to AI assistance
At our Quirónsalud hospitals in Spain, we are optimizing the patient experience with Casiopea. This digital platform bundles important health information. A central pool of information gives doctors rapid access to relevant patient data and enables them to provide more efficient and selective treatment.
The Mobility Scribe AI system was integrated into Casiopea during the summer of 2024. The system was specially developed for clinical operations. It transcribes treatment conversations, creates medical reports, and suggests the prescription of medication and tests to be performed. Our medical professionals then check these suggestions and confirm them. The administrative burden is reduced to allow doctors to focus more on their patients.
In a successful pilot phase, the AI system was trained strategically to recognize complex medical terminology. The aim now is to expand the use of Mobility Scribe throughout our Spanish hospitals.
AI-supported decisions in everyday clinical practice
Professionals at Helios Germany are using artificial intelligence strategically to support medical staff in decision-making. But what is actually behind this? Professor Olaf Kannt is a member of the Helios Executive Leadership Team and Head of Medicine at Helios Germany. He gave us an insight into the background.
What are the benefits of using digital assistants for treatments? How do doctors “work together” with AI in their day-to-day work?
Professor Kannt: The major advantage of AI-based digital support is real-time analysis of big data. Physicians are simply unable to assess this volume of data reliably and at pace. AI can identify unusual or rare presentations more precisely. A key factor here is that AI only makes suggestions and gives advice – the final decision always lies with medical practitioners. AI can help save time in routine activities such as writing clinic letters or evaluating X-ray images. The results can then be used for specialist medical decisions.
Where is AI already being used?
Professor Kannt: Using AI in decision-making is a key issue for the future.
The first pilot projects looking at AI support in our hospitals include smart assessment of images (CT images in stroke diagnostics and analyzing mucosal abnormalities in endoscopy), automated generation of doctor's letters, as well as intelligent suggestions in the areas of diagnostics and therapy.
One such example relates to endoscopic bowel examination. AI can simultaneously look for abnormalities not visible to the examining specialist and highlight them for the doctor. Every important medical decision in our target scenario will be made with digital support in future. Ideally, AI will review all the findings in a patient, link the results with their historical health data, and make suggestions for further diagnostics and treatment.
Can you give an overview of the extent to which expansion of AI is being planned? What are the areas of application and development potential?
Professor Kannt: We are only at the very beginning of our AI journey in the field of medicine. At the moment, work is being carried out on a system to support decisions in our emergency departments. Depending on symptoms, presentation, and findings, AI will make recommendations for further diagnostic and therapeutic measures at every point in the patient pathway. I can see a lot of potential in AI-based evaluation of images of all kinds, regardless of medical specialties and processes, including ultrasound, X-ray, CT, MRI, and endoscopy, and functional examinations such as nerve testing, ECG, and lung function.
More efficient maintenance with AI
Our Fresenius AI Center of Excellence (AI CoE) came into being from the strategic goal to harness the potential of AI in a variety of business areas and operational functions. One of these applications is our AI assistant for supporting technical service. This is our first in-house development. The business unit Kabi MedTech collaborated with the Fresenius Corporate Development Office to create an intelligent system that bundles valuable expertise for our service staff. The system then makes the information accessible during work with customers and contributes to efficient troubleshooting.
Our employees can access manuals, professional publications, and technical instructions quickly, easily and in their preferred language. This aims to significantly increase the quality of potential service repairs and reduce the associated costs.
A particularly valuable attribute is that AI codifies the knowledge of experienced employees and makes it available for field service staff. The system ensures our service quality over the long term and puts innovation into practice. The tool has already been rolled out in the United States, and other countries will follow soon.
“AI simplifies our daily work and enhances quality and efficiency. Using advanced technologies empowers us to expand our services and help patients and customers in the best possible way. By exploring and applying new AI solutions, we are harnessing the transformative power of AI and shaping the future of healthcare.”
