The challenge at Tergooi
The high pressure on radiologists is showing no signs of easing. Although half are signalling that they’re burned out, the demand for scans continues to increase. After practising Neuroradiology for over 10 years, Dr Thomas Jongsma at Tergooi hospital in the Netherlands is observing this trend and sees innovation as the only feasible solution:
“We are experiencing an increasing workload due to the growing number of requests for more detailed nodule reports. Hiring more radiologists to cope with this challenge is not a solution. We want to provide better cancer care and stay efficient so we have to innovate how we work.”
Radiology is no stranger to technological innovation. The ’60s saw the introduction of PET scans, followed by CT early 70s and MRI in the late ’70s. In the ’00s, radiology departments made a shift to digital PACS systems. Currently, artificial intelligence (AI) is delivering on its hyped promise and becoming a reality in clinical practice. For Dr Jongsma, the introduction of AI-enabled solutions at Tergooi is part of making the care environment in which he works futureproof.
Using Veye Lung Nodules to speed up the workflow
Tergooi in the Netherlands is one of the early adopters of Veye Lung Nodules, our deep-learning lung nodule management solution. Built in close collaboration with radiologists, Veye Lung Nodules is an extra pair of well-trained eyes in the search for subtle lung abnormalities on chest CT scans. Veye Lung Nodules automatically detects pulmonary nodules, measures them, and compares the results with previous findings, if available, to determine the nodule growth rate.
Dr Thomas Jongsma describes the use of Veye Lung Nodules in his team and how it supports collaboration at the hospital:
“We use Veye Lung Nodules as a concurrent reader to optimise and speed up the radiology workflow in our hospital. Veye Lung Nodules automatically delivers detailed reports for nodule management. This enables our radiologists to provide relevant information to the different stakeholders throughout the care pathway, from the pulmonary physician, the oncologist, and the laboratory technician.”
Getting back the time
While some radiology tasks are more repetitive and tedious – making them suited for a machine – others require the high-level reasoning of which only a human is capable. Having the time to focus on the latter is what radiologists are missing with the current workload. Dr Jongsma sees a clear place for Veye Lung Nodules in addressing this challenge:
“Veye Lung Nodules automates tedious tasks allowing us to deal with the increasing volume. It supports us in improving cancer care through more detailed reporting while also freeing up time for our radiologists to focus on more complex image interpretation.”
Dr Jongsma further describes Veye Lung Nodules’ contribution to the radiology workflow:
“Veye Lung Nodules improves the quality of cancer care because it automates and standardises the reporting of nodule measurements”.
Tergooi has been a partner in enhancing Veye Lung Nodules from the start. Seeing its benefits, they are introducing the medical solution to their peers:
“As one of the early adopters we continue to innovate with Aidence by bringing Veye Lung Nodules to our imaging exchange and making it available to different hospitals in the region.”
About Dr Thomas Jongsma
- Practising Neuroradiology for 10+ years, sub-specialty interests in Abdominal Radiology and Interstitial Lung Diseases;
- Manager of the Radiology and Nuclear Medicine department at Tergooi;
- Chairman of the board at DTBI, a regional collaboration of 50 Imaging specialists from four different hospitals in the centre of the Netherlands;
- Residency at Alkmaar Medical Centre (now Northwest Clinics) in the department of Dr Paul Algra;
- Keen on improving the healthcare environment.
About Tergooi
- A catchment area of 250,000 people;
- 11 radiologists;
- 6,500+ CT chest scans per year and an approximate 5% annual increase;
- Using Philips Intellispace PACS.
About Catalina
Catalina Barzescu is Content Manager at AidenceAfter graduating from the Erasmus University Rotterdam with a master’s degree in media and journalism, she made her way to MedTech via e-learning, travel, and humanitarian aid. Her interests are storytelling and data science with a purpose. The articles she signs reflect the work and ideas of the various teams at Aidence – medical, tech, regulatory, and business.
