Artificial intelligence is changing how medical images are taken and reviewed, but not by replacing doctors.
Instead, it’s helping radiology teams work more efficiently — from faster MRI scans to quicker report writing.
Across the country, about 40 million MRI scans are done each year. These scans often take between 30 and 45 minutes. New AI tools are helping cut that time in half.
In some hospitals, full scans are now done in under 15 minutes, according to research published in the medical journal Cureus.
AI is also being used behind the scenes. In reading rooms — where radiologists review scans and write reports — voice recognition software powered by AI is speeding up the process.Killer in Blue Part 1: Fentanyl’s impact on families in North Dakota
Instead of typing, radiologists speak into a microphone. The AI turns their words into written reports with more than 95% accuracy, based on data from the Radiological Society of North America.
The use of AI is expanding beyond MRI. Hospitals are using similar tools in mammography, ultrasound, and standard X-rays.
A 2023 article in Insights into Imaging found that more than 75% of imaging departments now use AI in some form — often to sort images, highlight urgent cases, or manage patient data.
Still, AI is not making medical decisions. The FDA has not approved any AI system to diagnose patients on its own. Radiologists must still read and verify each scan before any diagnosis is made.
Source: kxnet.com
