La Porte – Northwest Health announced the implementation of new artificial intelligence (AI) technology aimed at enhancing the speed and accuracy of stroke diagnosis at its hospitals in La Porte, Knox and Valparaiso. This innovative initiative represents a significant step forward in the health system’s commitment to using advanced medical technology to provide top-tier patient care.

Stroke, a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, requires swift and accurate diagnosis to ensure timely intervention and treatment. With the integration of AI technology into its diagnostic process, Northwest Health expects to improve stroke care by significantly reducing the time it takes to diagnose a stroke and enabling more confident treatment decisions.

“Our goal at Northwest Health is to adopt advances in diagnostic technology and treatment protocols, making them available here in our communities,” said Simon Ratliff, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Health – La Porte and Northwest Health - Starke. “Using AI to diagnose stroke in patients is an example of that.”

The AI system utilizes advanced algorithms based on vast amounts of medical data to analyze imaging scans, such as CT and CT angiograms, and quickly identify signs of stroke. By rapidly detecting subtle indicators, the technology empowers healthcare providers to make decisions and promptly initiate appropriate treatment protocols.

Key benefits of the AI-powered stroke diagnosis system include:

Speed: The AI system can analyze imaging scans within seconds, drastically reducing the time it takes to diagnose a stroke and initiate treatment.

Accuracy: By leveraging machine learning algorithms, the system can identify even the most subtle signs of stroke with high precision, minimizing the risk of misdiagnosis.

Confidence: Healthcare providers can have even more confidence in their diagnostic decisions, leading to more effective treatment plans and improved patient outcomes.

"Acting fast to detect a stroke gives patients the best chance of survival and recovery.” said Ratliff,“ Integrating AI technology marks a leap forward for our communities, allowing our clinicians to deliver faster and more precise assessments which could save lives."

About Northwest Health
Northwest Health is a comprehensive healthcare system committed to providing communities in Northwest Indiana with high-quality, accessible healthcare—from highly specialized care and surgical services to more routine primary care. The system of more than 60 access points includes three hospitals, five emergency departments, urgent care centers, outpatient surgery centers, an ambulance service, and physician offices. A team of more than 3,000 employees work together with the more than
700 physicians on its medical staffs. Northwest Health is owned in part by physicians. For more information, visit NWHealthIN.com.