WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Novant Health, a nationally recognized leader in stroke care, has partnered with Viz.ai to bring the first U.S. Food & Drug Administration-cleared computer-aided triage system to the Carolinas. Novant Health will be deploying this applied artificial intelligence-based technology throughout the system, which will build on its commitment to provide access to the most advanced stroke care, beginning with Novant Health Presbyterian and Forsyth Medical Centers. Novant Health is the first in the Carolinas to partner with Viz.ai to bring its award-winning software that utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze images for suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes.
As one of four health care systems in the country with two Joint Commission advanced certified comprehensive stroke centers, Novant Health continues to offer advanced innovations to improve access to the most optimal treatments for patients who are suffering an acute stroke. Stroke specialists with access to Viz.ai’s technology can potentially save critical minutes, even hours, in the triage, diagnosis and treatment of strokes. Viz.ai's image analysis facilitates the fast and accurate triage of suspected LVOs in stroke patients and better collaboration between clinicians at comprehensive and referral hospitals.
“At Novant Health, our vision and commitment to one day cure every stroke and prevent every cause of stroke remains,” said Dr. Eric Eskioglu, executive vice president and chief medical officer for Novant Health. “From having two robust advanced comprehensive stroke centers, to now deploying this technology that has been developed by top stroke clinicians and technical experts in the world, we have made significant strides toward our vision and we are excited to bring these transformational technologies to Novant Health and our community. Viz.ai’s solutions will truly transform the way that we deliver much safer, faster, and remarkable stroke care to our community, which we believe will result in improved outcomes for our patients.”
Viz.ai’s technology solution, Viz LVO, is transforming hospital workflow and synchronizing stroke care with a cloud-based artificial intelligence system that automatically analyzes CT scans for suspected LVOs. It alerts neurovascular specialists of suspected LVOs, enabling earlier imaging review and better collaboration between specialists.
“Novant Health is committed to using leading edge technology to connect with and care for our patients,” said Angela Yochem, executive vice president and chief digital and tech officer for Novant Health. “Viz.ai is just one of the many ways Novant Health looks to incorporate artificial intelligence in improving the efficiency and quality of patient care. This technology allows our stroke care team to respond in a moment when every second counts.”
“We are excited to partner with Novant Health, a leading health system committed to provide state of the art technology to their patients” said Dr. Chris Mansi, neurosurgeon, co-founder and CEO of Viz.ai. “Through Viz.ai, Novant Health can improve access to life-changing stroke care for its community.”
Stroke is a leading cause of permanent disability, death and health care costs globally. According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA), stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and a leading cause of disability. When a stroke occurs, and the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a portion of the brain is blocked, approximately 2 million brain cells die every minute.