In 2023, Cambridge Memorial Hospital became the first hospital in Ontario to integrate Rho in their routine clinical practice. CTV Kitchener spoke to Cambridge Memorial Hospital's Dr. Winnie Lee, and 16 Bit's Dr. Mark Cicero, to describe what this move means for CMH patients and radiologists.
Dr. Lee described how osteoporosis is a silent disease: it often goes undetected until a fracture occurs. Such fractures are related to a loss of bone mineral density. If bone mineral loss is detected, lifestyle modification and treatment regimens can slow, or prevent, progression. While a screening program exists, it is often underutilized: most patients who should be screened, are not. The screening program can trigger patients to be sent for a special exam, called a DXA, to measure bone density.
Dr. Cicero explained that Rho uses artificial intelligence to analyze standard x-rays, and determine if the patient is likely to have low bone density. By eye, most radiologists cannot make this determination unless the disease is already pronounced. Now that Rho installed at CMH, it will screen all eligible x-rays, acquired for any indication, in patients over 50 years of age, and automatically alert the radiologist if the patient is likely to have low bone mineral density.
As Dr. Lee notes, incorporation of Rho in clinical practice is providing a new means of preventive medicine. Patients may be identified earlier and have an opportunity to receive the care that they need.
