Name
Transformations Track: Artificial Intelligence and Digitizing of the Supply Chain
Date & Time
Monday, April 16, 2018, 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Location Name
International Ballroom III
Speakers
Michael Louviere Supply Chain, Internal Consultant Ochsner Health System
Robert Wesley 3D Printing Engineer St. Louis Children's Hospital
Description
The supply chain that began with internal product development and included production, marketing, and finally delivery to the customer, is quickly morphing into a system that is integrated and visible to everyone involved from beginning to end. A number of new technologies are making this possible and those who embrace the digitization of their supply chain will gain competitive advantage in addition to reaping other benefits.  
 
Part 1 of this session will explore the recent explosion in 3D printing technology and its numerous healthcare applications.  A vast array of usages in medical devices include rapid prototyping, printing of components for medical devices and surgical & dental guides that greatly increase accuracy.  Other frontier applications in the medical field include the ability to print “skin” for grafts for burn victims, prosthetics for amputees, and cartilage and bone for implants.  In addition to improved outcomes, many of these uses could also result in lower costs.  
 
According to a recent study by Accenture, healthcare’s artificial intelligence market will reach $6.6 billion by 2021.  AI is able to process and analyze enormous amounts of patient data, provide guidance and decision support, and improve clinical workflow.  Though no one expects AI to replace physicians, one recent study found that the majority of healthcare executives believe that artificial intelligence advances will result in a reassessment of most aspects of their business in the near future. 

The possibilities for AI use in healthcare are endless.  Ochsner Health System recently launched a new artificial intelligence technology that provides early warning alerts for patients that experience critical health events.  The goal of this predictive analytics platform, is to minimize the severity and frequency of adverse events and improve patient safety as well.  These platforms promise an added benefit of being relatively inexpensive to implement, while potentially reducing incidents, thus lowering care costs.  Learn more about this innovative application for AI, as well as others that are changing the face of healthcare and how it is delivered.
 
Learning Objectives: 
1. Identify the benefits of supply chain digitization.
2. Outline the ways that 3D technology can improve outcomes and lower costs.
3. Discuss the importance of high quality, reliable data for the success of AI utilization and the inherent concerns regarding the privacy and security of such data.