Digital Revolution is Not Only About Technology — it’s About People

It has been almost ten years that I have lived in the GE Healthcare world, and innovation has always been our priority. As the world’s largest digital industrial company - or a 125-year start-up, as we’ve been called - this has always been one of our greatest strengths.

As we prepare to observe World Health Day on April 7, I have noticed that "connection" has become a buzzword during my conversations with our customers. In this context, it goes beyond connecting people to data. With access to new sorts of information, people are more interested in managing their own health in search of a better life.

The relationship between people and health has changed

The patient’s demand for more specialized, high quality services are becoming more and more sophisticated. In response, hospitals and clinics are focused on developing their predictive analytics capabilities to boost their service and to enable their physicians to focus on what matters the most - the patient.

Connecting machines and applications to people is critical to GE's day-to-day business. We are constantly analyzing and translating data and insights into tangible actions and results. In this scenario, one of our successful stories is with the Hospital de Câncer de Barretos, in Brazil. A survey showed us that more than 60 percent of the mammography screenings performed here had some flaw. Most of these flaws were due to inadequate positioning of the breasts during the exam. Therefore, we developed a software designed to improve the technologist’s experience by assisting them in correctly positioning the breast during the exam and alerting them if images need to be retaken. The GE Healthcare team in Brazil developed this software with the needs of healthcare professionals and their patients in mind.

Another great example is the “NASA-like” command center at Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Maryland, USA. Their Command Center uses machine learning and algorithms developed by GE to produce real-time and predictive insights. The center’s staff can use these insights to deliver safer, faster and better patient care.

Whenever I have the opportunity, I share stories like these in which we co-create with customers and make the difference for the healthcare industry. At GE, we are constantly reinventing ourselves - without losing sight of our greatest purpose: working side by side with doctors, and truly taking care of people's health.

Luiz