Trina Abla, DO, MBA, System Chief Medical Officer at Penn Highlands Healthcare, testified during a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee which reviewed technological innovations to expand access to quality healthcare in rural areas of Pennsylvania. Dr. Abla testified as part of one of three panels that included representatives from health care, academia, non-profit community organizations and technology companies.
“The hearing was a great opportunity to learn about some of the technological advancements and innovations that are helping to remotely connect rural patients with both acute and long-term healthcare access,” said Sen. Camera Bartolotta who hosted the meeting. “It was also encouraging to hear solutions that provide our isolated rural residents with accessible face-to-face medical care options.”
During her testimony, Dr. Abla cited that in order to retain skilled physicians, providers and staff to provide care in rural communities, hospitals must invest in advanced technology. She explained that the use of technology has been beneficial in healthcare by improving treatment and surgical techniques as well as providing enhanced diagnostic precision and accuracy. She also touted the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
“AI-powered diagnostics use algorithms to analyze medical images and patient data to help identify potential issues which leads to faster and more accurate diagnoses,” explained Dr. Abla. “AI also can be leveraged to improve the quality of care in areas such as radiology and pathology where films or slides are currently read by the human eye. When those reads are augmented by AI, we can improve accuracy and detection of diseases such as cancer.”
Sen. David G. Argall, Chairman of the Committee added, “No one in Pennsylvania should be required to travel hundreds of miles to a major city to receive quality healthcare, yet that is the unfortunate reality for too many people. Bringing these emerging technologies to all our hospitals in both rural and urban areas will save lives and benefit communities throughout the Commonwealth.”
At the conclusion of the hearing, Sen. Bartolotta along with Sen. Argall and Sen. Scott E. Hutchinson, said they would take Dr. Abla’s testimony along with that of the other testifiers under review and advisement.
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