Tag: imaging access

AI-Enabled Ultrasound: Transforming Imaging at the Point of Care

 

In today’s fast-paced healthcare environment, ultrasound is increasingly recognized not just for prenatal or cardiac assessment, but as a versatile diagnostic tool across specialties. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating ultrasound’s impact — reducing operator dependency, improving diagnostic confidence, and enabling faster bedside care. For imaging leaders, especially in rural or underserved settings, AI-powered ultrasound technology paired with teleradiology support offers a compelling path for enhanced access and precision.

Innovations in AI-Ultrasound You Should Know

  1. FDA Clearance for AI Thyroid Ultrasound
    In 2024, See-Mode Technologies received FDA clearance for an AI-powered thyroid ultrasound system that can detect and classify nodules using the ACR TI-RADS scale. It has shown promising results in standardizing reporting and reducing unnecessary biopsies and follow-ups.
    Source: https://www.auntminnie.com
  2. Projected Market Growth
    The global AI ultrasound market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22% through 2029. This rapid growth is fueled by the rising burden of chronic disease, limited radiologist availability, and the push for faster, more accessible diagnostics.

    Source: https://www.pharmiweb.com/

  3. Rural Potential with Point-of-Care AI
    A JAMA Cardiology viewpoint outlines how AI-assisted point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can enable more accurate cardiovascular assessments even when performed by generalists—especially valuable in remote areas without imaging specialists.
    Source: https://jamanetwork.com
  4. Clinician Enthusiasm and Challenges
    The COMPASS-AI global survey found that 81% of clinicians support AI-assisted ultrasound, citing improved diagnostic utility and speed. However, top concerns include training, clinical validation, and workflow integration.

    Source: https://theultrasoundjournal.springeropen.com/

Infographic showing COMPASS-AI survey results on clinician support for AI-enabled ultrasound, benefits, and concernsWhy It Matters for Facilities and Radiology Teams

  • Reduces staffing burden: AI ultrasound reduces variability among operators, ideal for high-turnover or remote settings.
  • Speeds up decision-making: Frontline providers can quickly gather meaningful imaging data, while teleradiologists handle the interpretation.
  • Expands imaging reach: Portable, AI-powered ultrasound extends diagnostic capabilities to underserved regions.
  • Supports standardization: AI helps standardize image acquisition and reporting, improving overall workflow efficiency.

How Vesta Teleradiology Enhances AI-Ultrasound Value

While AI augments imaging workflows, expert interpretation is still essential. Vesta provides:

  • Subspecialty reads across thyroid, vascular, MSK, and more
  • 24/7 coverage with fast turnaround times
  • Seamless PACS/RIS integration for AI-acquired ultrasound data

Our radiologists help bridge the gap between frontline imaging and specialist analysis—ensuring that every AI-enabled ultrasound scan contributes to timely, confident patient care.

Bringing AI and Teleradiology Together

Whether you’re running a rural health center, a large outpatient clinic, or an emergency department, AI ultrasound paired with expert teleradiology interpretation helps:

  • Increase imaging access without compromising accuracy
  • Alleviate staffing constraints
  • Deliver faster diagnoses
  • Improve patient outcomes

AI in ultrasound is not replacing radiologists — it’s helping them focus on what matters most. With Vesta’s support, healthcare organizations can embrace innovation while maintaining high-quality, consistent imaging interpretation.

 

Celebrating National Health Center Week: The Frontline of Community Care

Every August, National Health Center Week (August 3-9 2025) recognizes the critical role community health centers play in delivering affordable, high-quality healthcare across the United States. These centers serve more than 30 million patients annually, many of whom live in medically underserved or rural regions. But as demand for comprehensive care grows, so does the need for accessible diagnostic imaging—an area where teleradiology is helping bridge the gap.

The Imaging Gap in Rural and Underserved Areas

Access to diagnostic imaging remains a persistent challenge for many community health centers. Facilities in rural or low-resource areas often face:

  • Limited access to on-site radiologists
  • Delays in turnaround times for imaging reads
  • Difficulty recruiting or retaining subspecialty radiologists
  • Rising imaging volumes due to expanded preventive care

These barriers can compromise patient outcomes, especially in time-sensitive cases involving stroke, cancer screening, or trauma. Imaging is a critical step in diagnosis—and delays in radiology reports can delay treatment.

Teleradiology: A Scalable Solution for Imaging Access

Teleradiology enables healthcare facilities to send medical images (like X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and mammograms) electronically to off-site, board-certified radiologists for interpretation. For community health centers, this technology is transformative.

Here’s how teleradiology supports health centers during National Health Center Week and year-round:

  1. 24/7 Coverage, Including Nights and Holidays
     Teleradiology ensures that community health centers can offer imaging services around the clock—even if there’s no radiologist physically on-site. This is especially important for urgent care and emergency settings in rural hospitals.

  2. Access to Subspecialty Reads
     Facilities may not always have access to neuroradiologists, MSK radiologists, or breast imaging specialists. Vesta Teleradiology offers access to subspecialty reads, ensuring every case is interpreted by the right expert.

  3. Faster Turnaround Times
     With cloud-based image transfer and structured reporting, teleradiology reduces delays and improves turnaround times. That means faster results, quicker clinical decisions, and better patient care.

  4. Support for Preventive Imaging Initiatives
     Community health centers are expanding their use of imaging for preventive care—particularly for breast cancer screening, lung health, and cardiovascular risk. Teleradiology provides scalable support during screening campaigns or high-volume periods.

    Female patient undergoing a mammogram with a radiologic technologist in a medical exam room

  5. Cost-Effective Radiology Staffing
     Teleradiology helps optimize budgets by supplementing in-house radiologists or replacing expensive on-call coverage. Flexible pricing models ensure services align with facility needs and patient volume.

Why Imaging Access Matters More Than Ever

The need for diagnostic imaging continues to rise in 2025. According to recent projections from the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute, demand for imaging will grow at a faster rate than the radiologist workforce through 2055. In rural and medically underserved areas, the shortage is even more pronounced.

Community health centers are on the front lines of closing this gap. But without reliable imaging access, they face limitations in diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment planning.

How Vesta Teleradiology Helps Health Centers Thrive

At Vesta, we understand the pressures community health centers face. That’s why we offer:

  • Fully customizable radiology services tailored to your patient population
  • Rapid onboarding and seamless PACS integration
  • Weekend, holiday, and night coverage
  • A team of U.S.-based, board-certified radiologists
  • Subspecialty interpretations across all major imaging fields

Whether you’re a rural clinic needing full radiology coverage or a mid-sized health center looking for overflow support, our teleradiology solutions are built to help you scale—without compromising care quality.

Join the Movement: National Health Center Week

National Health Center Week is more than a celebration. It’s a reminder that access, equity, and quality care start with supporting the providers who serve our most vulnerable populations. Teleradiology is a powerful tool to help meet that mission.

If your health center is planning to expand imaging services or looking for reliable radiology coverage, Vesta is here to help.

Let’s build healthier communities—one accurate read at a time.