Advancing Patient Care Through AI: Northwestern Medicine’s Strategic Approach

Northwestern Medicine, Chicago’s premier integrated academic health system, is redefining the future of healthcare by thoughtfully integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into clinical and operational workflows. With a strategic, purpose-driven approach, the organization is leveraging AI to enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline operations, and improve patient outcomes across multiple specialties.

A Purpose-Driven AI Strategy

Northwestern Medicine’s AI initiatives begin with a clear goal: to identify where technology can meaningfully improve care. Internal teams assess existing tools and, when necessary, evaluate external solutions for fit, integration, and compliance. Cross-functional collaboration ensures that every AI solution aligns with clinical workflows and organizational goals, reinforcing the system’s commitment to evidence-based innovation.

ARIES: Transforming Radiology Efficiency

One of the health system’s most impactful innovations is the Automated Radiology Interpretation Evaluation System (ARIES), developed and patented in-house. ARIES uses advanced AI to generate full draft reports for X-rays and CT scans in seconds, delivering:

• Improved patient safety through identification of incidental findings such as lung nodules or collapsed lungs.
• Faster diagnoses that enable quicker clinical decision-making.
• Efficiency gains of over 50% for X-rays and 30% for CT volumes.

ARIES maintains the clinical accuracy and textual quality of traditional reports while enabling quality improvement and worklist prioritization. In FY26, Northwestern Medicine will expand ARIES to support MRI and ultrasound imaging.

AI-Assisted Colonoscopies: Enhancing GI Outcomes

In Gastroenterology, Northwestern Medicine has adopted the GI Genius™ AI system to assist with colonoscopies. This FDA-approved technology identifies colorectal polyps in real time, resulting in:

• A 13% increase in polyp detection and removal.
• A potential 39% reduction in future colorectal cancer diagnoses.

Over a six-month study involving nearly 5,000 colonoscopies, physicians using GI Genius consistently outperformed peers in identifying adenomas.

“There’s nothing better than telling a patient that their decision to have a screening colonoscopy may have saved their life,” said Rajesh Keswani, MD, interventional gastroenterology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

AI and Aging: The Human Longevity Clinic

At the new Human Longevity Clinic, Northwestern Medicine is pioneering AI to better understand the aging process. In collaboration with the Potocsnak Longevity Institute at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, the clinic uses AI-based analytics to assess biological age, an individual’s physiological and overall health Innovations include:

• AI-driven analysis of multi-organ assessments.
• Molecular profiling of epigenetics to identify aging biomarkers
• Predictive models guiding personalized interventions to improve health span – the number of years lived in good health.

The clinic blends cutting-edge research with clinical care, offering patients tailored strategies to help you live a healthier life for longer.

A Model That Supports Better Care

Northwestern Medicine’s AI strategy reflects a broader commitment to continuous improvement. By embedding AI into workflows in a way that complements care delivery, clinicians can make faster, more informed decisions while maintaining high standards of safety and quality. For referring providers, this means patients benefit from timely diagnoses, reduced delays, and improved risk detection.

“It’s like any project, you need to involve users early, understand their workflows, and clearly articulate how the technology will benefit them,” said Hannah Koczka, vice president, Innovations and Ventures, Northwestern Medicine. “That’s how you build trust, adoption, and ultimately, better outcomes.”

About Northwestern Medicine

As Chicago’s premier integrated academic health system, Northwestern Medicine offers patients access to world-class, compassionate care at 11 hospitals and more than 200 diagnostic and ambulatory sites. The health system is anchored by Northwestern Memorial Hospital. For 14 consecutive years, Northwestern Memorial Hospital has been named to the Best Hospital Honor Roll by U.S. News and World Report. Additionally, Northwestern Memorial Hospital is the only Illinois hospital to have eight nationally ranked specialties in the Top 10.

To learn more, visit northwesternglobalservices.com