Helping clinics to realize the power of their imaging data
Healthcare has always needed data to self-regulate and improve. Data in all forms gives us the power to take learning from the past to help predict the future and this power is there to be harnessed by all clinics, large and small. At Mirada we take Imaging data and create models from these, helping clinics to realize the power of their imaging data. This month we speak to our Data specialist, Omar Rahman – Clinical Advisor / SME in Surface Guided RT / BSc Radiotherapy.
Hi Omar, tell us a little about you.
Sure, I trained as a Radiotherapist for the NHS. Working with patients meant I could see first-hand the power technology has to help cancer patients. During my time working in the development and use of SGRT techniques, it was evident that with the use of technology we could help multiple patients at once and that is when I discovered Mirada. Mirada build AI organs and risk contouring models that are used by clinics globally to speed up the radiotherapy planning process. I joined Mirada as a Data Partnerships Manager 6 months ago.
What does a Data Partnerships Manager do?
I am responsible for expanding our partnership program. I identify and qualify data agreements with healthcare centres, and businesses that have Imaging data. The type of Data I’m looking for is at this stage is anonymized, DICOM Imaging data used in Radiotherapy planning, CT and MR data. We look for partnerships with clinics that have good quality data that meet the ideal parameters for the next model we are looking to build.
2. What is ‘good quality’ data? This is data in which the parameters which would fit what is needed in the model that is being built by Mirada at that point. For example, the scan length, patient position and field of view should match the defined criteria . Consistency in scan parameters is as important as diversity and a variety in ethnicity and variation of internal anatomy. finally, all the data we work with comes to us encrypted and is completely anonymized.
2. How is the data you acquire used, and how is it stored? The anonymized data we received is transmitted via a secure, encrypted FTP (File Transfer Protocol) it is stored on Amazon web services. We use the data, to train the model we are working on, so the data never leaves Mirada. Once the model has been trained it functions without the data. This means that when we release a model to a site the data it was trained using does not go with the model.
3.What about compliance? How do you ensure this? Our data handling processes are completely robust and compliant with HIPPA and GDPR. We work with the clinics and their governance teams and agree processes defined in data protection impact assessments at the start of the process and we continue to work closely with our partners on cyber security and comply, as necessary.
4. Why should a clinic consider becoming a partner? Mirada is committed to accelerating cancer care and It is well understood that if we can work together, data can be used to improve cancer care for all as well as benefit the clinics that use our products and ultimately that is the fundamental reason you would become a partner but there are numerous other benefits, including Improving clinical productivity, increasing patient throughput, increasing efficiency, improving and plan quality among others such as research and publications. What is more, our partners find that they have first access to the innovative products we develop and are renown for. If you are interested to learn more about being a clinical partner, contact us using the form below.