Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital (SiPH) has announced a significant upgrade to its Pathology Information System (PIS) through a collaboration with IBM, leveraging advanced computational technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). This enhancement integrates laboratory workflows, image scanning, and centralised data processing to provide a streamlined approach to pathological cancer diagnosis, setting the stage for future advancements in cancer care across Thailand and the ASEAN region.
The upgraded PIS, developed by the IBM Supply Chain Industry 4.0 team in Singapore, introduces smart forms and speech-to-text AI models to simplify data entry. It connects tissue specimen information with high-resolution images obtained from slide scanners. These images are analysed using AI algorithms developed by SiPH and IBM's Power10 MMA capabilities. This integration enables pathologists to access real-time, consolidated data, facilitating quicker and more accurate diagnoses of potential cancer cases.
The new system empowers pathologists to concentrate on critical diagnostic tasks. With automated workflows and AI-driven slide image analysis—currently being piloted for prostate cancer—the platform enhances the identification of cancerous tissues. By automating diagnostic result processing, the system allows clinicians to focus on high-risk cases, ultimately improving both diagnostic accuracy and operational efficiency.
Dr. Pornsuk Cheunsuchon, director of the Digital Pathology Center at SiPH, stated, “The collaboration between SiPH and IBM reflects our commitment to delivering excellent clinical care for patients in Thailand and ASEAN. Today’s success in transforming our pathology workflows and enhancing diagnostic quality will ultimately lead to more accurate cancer diagnostics, benefiting patients across Thailand and ASEAN.” He further noted that this achievement opens new capabilities in computational pathology, positioning AI-powered diagnostics as a key component of future clinical care at SiPH.
Anothai Wettayakorn, managing director of IBM Thailand, added, “IBM, together with our business partner SDC and Rax Interdiagnostic, are proud to have supported SiPH with platforms designed for AI inferencing workloads and seamless automation.” He highlighted the importance of IBM Power 10's reliability and security features in addressing challenges in computational pathology, ensuring that the advanced system can handle vast amounts of data and images effectively.
This collaboration underscores a growing trend towards technologies that enhance speed, efficiency, transparency, and accuracy in healthcare, ultimately ensuring improved patient care across the region.
