TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Chi Mei Medical Center signed a cooperation agreement on Monday with US-based networking and telecommunications firm Cisco Systems to incorporate AI technology into stroke patient care programs and enhance cybersecurity.
At a press conference, Hospital Director Lin Hung-jung (林宏榮) said that AI in healthcare is advancing rapidly, but uploading medical data to external clouds carries the risk of exposure and could violate regulations, per CNA.
To address this, the hospital has adopted Cisco’s AI-powered computing solution. Patient records, imaging, and physiological data will be hosted in the hospital’s on-site data center, where AI models can be directly trained and run, significantly enhancing cybersecurity.
Cisco’s solution also optimizes the hospital’s system to provide personalized dietary guidance and rehabilitation plans for people with stroke. The system offers continued follow-up after discharge and uses AI to turn complex clinical data into clear instructions for caregivers.
Lin noted the system has improved caregivers’ understanding of care plans by 50% and increased patients’ follow-through after discharge by 30%. It also saves the hospital more than 700 hours of staff time monthly, allowing medical personnel to focus on critical and acute care.
Clarence Barboza, managing director of Cisco’s Digital Impact Office for the Asia Pacific, said the company has partnered with Taiwan’s government agencies and private organizations to advance digital initiatives. He praised Taiwan’s medical technology and the hospital’s expertise in stroke treatment and precision care. Barboza hopes the partnership will showcase AI’s potential in personalized care and added the company plans to collaborate with more domestic medical institutions.
Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death in Taiwan, with about 30,000 people suffering a first stroke annually, the hospital said. More than 260,000 stroke survivors face challenges such as swallowing difficulties, limb weakness, and cognitive impairments. The hospital’s partnership with Cisco also aims to improve patient care and reduce the workload for hospitals and caregivers.
