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Marlee Ravid

4 Things I Learned About AI From a Chief of Interventional Radiology

Adoption, Care Coordination, Pulmonary Embolism, ROI, Workflow
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In a recent conversation with Alexander Misono, MD, Chief of Interventional Radiology at Hoag, we explored the transformational role of AI in radiology and the ripple effects it’s having on both patient care and clinical operations. Dr. Misono shared insights on how AI integrates seamlessly into a radiologist’s workflow, streamlines patient triaging and supports crucial buy-in from various stakeholders. These takeaways reflect both the practical applications of AI and the broader impact it is having in modern healthcare. Here are my four key takeaways:

1. AI Is Most Effective When It’s Behind the Scenes—Until It’s Needed

Dr. Misono described a typical day in radiology as one that’s made more efficient by AI-driven notifications and alerts. Rather than requiring constant monitoring, the AI sits quietly in the background, analyzing and flagging key cases like pulmonary embolism (PE), then sending alerts when action is needed. This setup improves efficiency and ensures that Dr. Misono and his team are informed as soon as a patient might require immediate attention.

This “always-on” approach allows the interventional radiology team to act faster. With the AI-driven notifications, “I’m often the one informing others about the case,” Dr. Misono shared. This highlights the advantage of real-time insights that place specialists at the forefront of patient management. The impact is clear–AI-driven alerts can shave critical minutes off the response time, which is pivotal in cases requiring anticoagulation or rapid intervention.

2. The Importance of an AI Champion and Use Cases

In any clinical setting, introducing a new and transformative technology like AI requires a dedicated champion who can lead the charge. For Dr. Misono’s team, this role was taken on by Scott Williams, MD, Medical Director and Chief of Service, Vice Chairman, Department of Radiology at Hoag, whose advocacy was essential in paving the way for effective AI adoption. “Scott is who we owe for living in this brave new world where AI helps us do so much,” Dr. Misono said.

Williams’ leadership enabled the health system to implement and expand AI applications beyond stroke and PE care coordination to DVT and IVC filter identification. This commitment has been instrumental in delivering faster, more accurate triaging, which translates directly to better patient outcomes. A strong internal champion like Dr. Williams, who can communicate the tangible clinical impacts to all stakeholders, is often the difference between successful AI implementation and one that falls short.

3. Securing Internal Buy-In With Real-World Impact

Implementing AI requires support at all levels, and for Dr. Misono, getting the green light from leadership meant illustrating the clear benefits of AI-driven care and its measurable impact on patient care. Through a focused narrative and real-world data from their own cases, he demonstrated that this technology isn’t just cost-effective, but also helped enhance patient outcomes. In Dr. Misono’s words, “The ROI is clear in terms of reducing length of stay and improving the speed of critical interventions.”

The “doctor revolution index” is what Dr. Misono jokingly refers to as a testament to AI’s value–if the tech were taken away, he believes there would be an outcry from the clinicians. This speaks volumes about the indispensable role AI has come to play in their daily operations. By showcasing this transformative value, AI champions can help secure long-term buy-in from stakeholders and make a strong case for continued investment.

4. AI as a Recruitment Advantage and a Team Effort

The rapid integration of AI at Hoag has also turned out to be a valuable asset in recruiting new talent. As Scott Williams noted, it’s a “feather in our cap” that they can offer AI-supported workflows to prospective radiologists who are excited to be part of a forward-thinking, technology advanced team.

However, Dr. Misono also emphasized the importance of involving the entire clinical team in the AI ecosystem, not just the physicians. “Everyone on the team needs to be on the same page, from physician assistants to residents,” he explained, underscoring the value of access to AI tools across roles. This comprehensive approach ensures that all team members are empowered with the same information, contributing to a more cohesive and responsible care model.

Embracing AI to Empower Radiologists

In this conversation, Dr. Misono gave us a close-up look at the remarkable ways AI is transforming radiology. From boosting workflow efficiency to recruiting new talent, the impact of AI goes well beyond imaging. As healthcare continues to adopt and evolve these tools, the takeaway is clear: AI’s true power lies in its ability to support clinicians at every step and across disciplines–making each day in the life of a radiologist smoother, faster and more effective.

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Marlee Ravid

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