After spending four full days immersed in the energy of RSNA 2024, you might expect me to be exhausted…Instead, I’m leaving Chicago feeling energized and inspired about the future of radiology.
From the vibrant exhibit hall to the education sessions, and even over meals at some of Chicago’s best spots, I had the opportunity to connect with clinicians, thought leaders, and innovators driving real change in our industry. One powerful theme stood out in every conversation: addressing the challenges of the workforce shortages, growing imaging demands, interoperability hurdles, and economic pressures will require a strategic convergence of digital (artificial intelligence + workflow efficiency), devices, and hospital IT departments. These aren’t just buzzwords: they’re the keys to unlocking a more efficient, connected, and patient-centered future in radiology.
As someone deeply invested in ultrasound and interventional solutions, RSNA provided fresh insights on how these advancements are poised to elevate not only radiology but also the role of ultrasound across the enterprise. Here are more of my takeaways from the conference.
Adoption of AI in Radiology: A Turning Point
A focal point of RSNA 2024 was the expanding role of AI in radiology. While AI is not new, its integration into daily radiology workflow has reached a critical juncture. Most of this year’s discussions moved beyond theoretical to the need for tools that actually bridge gaps in today’s overstretched imaging departments. To that end, I felt conference attendees were looking for real-life examples of how AI enhances diagnostic accuracy and, almost more importantly, how it improves clinical efficiency.
AI integration into ultrasound is solving real problems. AI-powered ultrasound helps sonographers and radiologists handle heavy caseloads by optimizing acquisition methods and simplifying documentation. Clinicians continue to be intrigued by Caption GuidanceTM and its ability to allow less-experienced cardiac sonographers and clinicians to capture diagnostic quality images, even in challenging conditions. It was interesting to hear one customer explain an “endless supply of patients” in ultrasound that AI could help manage.
Elevating Clinical Collaboration
RSNA 2024 wasn’t just about AI. The conference theme, “Building Intelligent Connections,” highlighted the increasing role of connectivity in modern healthcare. With a nationwide shortage of specialists that is expected to grow, remote collaboration has become essential in radiology, reshaping how complex cases are managed. The ability for radiologists to consult with offsite specialists—especially in facilities with limited in-house expertise—ensures that patients receive top-tier care, no matter where they live.
On the ultrasound collaboration front, we ran continuous demonstrations of Digital Expert Connect at the GE HealthCare booth. This digital ultrasound tool allows radiologists or specialists to observe live ultrasound exams and train sonographers in real time. I spoke with one customer who was very excited about the concept of utilizing GE HealthCare’s collaboration tools in his home state of Alaska to help educate local clinicians in remote villages on the potential of ultrasound.
Smarter Operational Efficiency and Data Management
Radiologist burnout and boreout—the latter being lack of engagement, often resulting from repetitive tasks and insufficient challenges in one’s work— are pressing issues in radiology, compounded by the global radiologist shortage. These challenges underscore the urgent need to improve ultrasound reporting workflows, as inconsistent data entry, variable terminology, and incomplete information from sonographers continue to hinder efficiency and accuracy.
Beyond radiology, I found that medical imaging IT leaders and PACS administrators were thinking about the governance and integration of encounter-based ultrasound. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) gives clinicians the ability to make rapid, often lifesaving decisions right at the bedside, yet many of these exams go undocumented, creating gaps in patient records.
I was excited to see our team showcasing GE HealthCare’s solution to these challenges: ViewPoint™ 6, an ultrasound reporting software designed to optimize radiology and POCUS workflows across healthcare systems. ViewPoint 6 enforces predefined terminology and standardized fields, supporting structured reporting and ensuring radiologists receive consistent, structured exam data from sonographers. By automatically mapping, or populating data from a sonographer’s worksheet into report templates, it significantly reduces the need for dictation and manual entry. This allows radiologists to focus on interpreting and summarizing findings rather than being burdened with administrative tasks.
ViewPoint 6 also transforms POCUS reporting with intuitive, configurable templates tailored to diverse clinical settings. Its portable and user-friendly interface makes it ideal for bedside exams, enabling clinicians to document findings directly at the point of care and ensuring no critical details are overlooked.
Last but never least, connecting with biomed leaders is always an RSNA highlight. These Healthcare Technology Managers (HTMs) are the backbone to keep imaging modalities running smoothly. It was amazing to see them light up as we discussed VerisoundTM Fleet, a digital tool that enables healthcare organizations to monitor and manage ultrasound systems and probes across multiple locations. This tool helps to maintain consistent protocols, minimizes maintenance disruptions, and allows clinicians to fully leverage productivity features like Scan Assist on their LOGIQ™ ultrasound systems. One customer shared that they are experiencing a dramatic increase in outpatient flow, thereby increasing the dispersed nature of their fleet of ultrasound equipment, making fleet management a “must have”.
Verisound is a Key Piece of Radiology’s Future
RSNA 2024 showcased how digital workflow innovations are helping to revolutionize radiology. In the ultrasound space, the integration of AI, advanced collaboration, and optimal data management is redefining how clinicians work, collaborate, and deliver patient care. These advancements mark a transformative shift toward more efficient and precise radiology.
This shift is precisely what Verisound represents. It brings together AI, connectivity, and operational excellence to drive the next generation of healthcare solutions. Verisound isn’t just keeping pace with the future of radiology—it’s setting the standard and leading the way forward. So, while I may be a bit partial, I can confidently say that my biggest takeaway from RSNA 2024 is clear: there has never been a better time for Verisound!
Learn more about Verisound Digital and AI ultrasound solutions and how it is reshaping radiology workflows.
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