Ochsner Health is the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Gulf South. Ochsner inspires healthier lives and stronger communities through our mission to serve, heal, lead, educate and innovate.
How Ochsner Health Uses AI in Imaging
At Ochsner, we responsibly use advanced technology to improve your care. When you get an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI, our doctors sometimes use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help review your images. AI can help your care team work faster and catch things that need a closer look. AI is just one more tool that supports better, faster care. What this means for you is less anxiety waiting for test results and greater access to the care you need.
AI does not replace your doctors. Medical images are reviewed by a type of doctor called a radiologist. These specially trained doctors are always the ones who make the final decision on how to interpret your results.
How AI helps review images
AI tools can act like “a second set of eyes” for your radiologist. They can help find small details a person might miss. But a trained radiologist will always make the final decision on what the images show.
Here are just a few examples of how AI is used to support your radiology team. AI can:
- Highlight a possible blood clot in the lungs on a chest scan
- Point out areas on a mammogram that may need a closer look
- Help spot small bone fractures on X-rays
- Help measure blood flow or how well the heart is working
How this helps you
AI has the potential to make image review faster. It can help be a “second set of eyes” and help make sure that urgent findings are addressed quickly. AI is one more tool that supports timely, high-quality expert care.
FAQs
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Why is Ochsner using AI?
We want to give you the best care possible. AI is one more tool that helps our doctors do that. By combining medical expertise with advanced tools like AI, we continue our mission to care for our communities with the most innovative tools. The best care happens when human intelligence leads and technology lends a helping hand.
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Will I notice anything different during my scan?
No, your visit will look and feel the same. AI tools help Ochsner doctors and specialists behind the scenes in reviewing scans. Our trained professionals who understand your full health story will continue to use experience and compassion throughout the process. Your care team will talk with you about what your images mean.
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Can AI diagnose a medical condition?
No. AI tools can help highlight specific findings on medical images like X-rays, CT scan, and MRIs, but they do not make a final diagnosis or replace your care team’s judgment. Your imaging results are interpreted by doctors and reviewed along with your health history and other clinical information. Your care team reviews the full picture and remains responsible for your care.
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What if AI highlights something on my scan?
Think of AI as a helpful assistant to your radiologist. AI tools can draw attention to an area so the radiologist can take a closer look. This does not necessarily mean something is wrong. In screening tests (like mammograms or colonoscopies), AI tools are designed to be extra careful and highlight anything that might be abnormal. This helps catch problems early, but many highlights turn out to be normal. In urgent situations (like checking for a stroke or serious injury), AI helps your doctors act quickly.
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Will AI results appear in my medical record?
AI notes may be shown in your record, but the full report will be completed by your radiologist. Your medical record will include the radiologist’s final report.
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Is my information still protected?
Yes. Your privacy is a top priority. Any AI tools used in your care follow the same privacy and security rules as the rest of your health information. AI tools used at Ochsner must meet strict privacy and cybersecurity standards. Your data is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and only the minimum information necessary is used for each task.
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What if I have more questions about these images?
If you have questions about your imaging results, please contact your care team. They can explain what your results mean and discuss any next steps, if needed.