Director Dr. Song Zhi-Jian, Nephrology Division / Director Dr. Xu Shun-Neng, Kidney Function Room
On October 15, 2025, Tri-Service General Hospital held a press conference to announce the launch of Taiwan's first AI Automated Hemodialysis System, officially presented by Dr. Song Zhi-Jian, Director of the Department of Nephrology, and Dr. Xu Shun-Neng, Director of the Kidney Function Room. This innovative platform, which integrates artificial intelligence, cloud-based healthcare, and cross-platform decision support, has received several national recognitions, including the "National Quality Mark" and the "Medical Quality Award for Intelligent Healthcare," symbolizing Taiwan's achievement in reaching international standards in smart kidney healthcare. It opens a new chapter in patient care.
AI Assistance: From Osteoporosis Prediction to Precision Treatment
Dr. Xu Shun-Neng shared a case study of a 67-year-old female patient undergoing hemodialysis. The patient, who had chronic kidney failure due to kidney trauma, had been on dialysis for 20 years and developed severe hyperparathyroidism. She underwent parathyroidectomy two years ago but later developed "persistent hungry bone syndrome," resulting in intense bone pain and restricted daily activities.
Tri-Service General Hospital's team used the AI-CXR Bone Density Prediction System at the Digital Medical Center to analyze the patient's chest X-ray, revealing a bone density of T-score -3.4, indicating severe osteoporosis. Further nuclear medicine imaging of the bones revealed multiple "microscopic fractures" in the ribs and hip fractures that were not visible to the naked eye.
For dialysis patients, hip fractures significantly increase the 10-year mortality rate, nearing 100%, making this a critical alert for the medical team. Dr. Xu emphasized that through the "AI Automated Hemodialysis System" and AI-assisted diagnosis with personalized treatment planning, the team selected Romosozumab (Evenity), a dual-action osteoporosis medication. After three months of monthly injections, along with calcium phosphate supplements and vitamin D, the patient's bone density improved from -4.2 to -2.5, the bone pain completely disappeared, and the patient no longer required painkillers, leading to significant improvements in her quality of life.
Six Key Innovations of the AI Automated Hemodialysis System
The AI Automated Hemodialysis System not only enhances the efficiency of care but also features six key innovations:
1. Intelligent Hemodialysis Medical Management: Development of an electronic dashboard to track patients' dialysis status in real-time, meeting hospital evaluation quality standards.
2. Cross-Platform Information Integration: Integration with the hospital's HIS, AI decision support systems, and non-contact physiological monitoring platforms to seamlessly share dialysis information.
3. Innovative Patient Care and Quality Monitoring Model: From app-based data tracking and AI-powered alerts to medication and test integration, it enhances patient safety.
4. First-of-its-Kind Healthcare Professional App: Healthcare providers can use mobile devices for rounds, signatures, and medication orders, greatly improving work efficiency and patient safety.
5. Patient-End Home Care App: Patients and their families can monitor annual dialysis trends, receive personalized education, and benefit from remote monitoring, promoting "self-health management."
6. World's First Bilingual Dialysis Summary (FHIR-Ready): FHIR certification supports U.S. and international HL7 data exchange standards, representing Taiwan's integration of smart healthcare with global standards.
AI-Powered Healthcare: Making Care More Immediate and Personalized
Dr. Xu further explained that the AI Automated Hemodialysis System not only improves care efficiency but also significantly enhances patient experience and safety:
• Direct Linkage to Educational Tools: Abnormal dialysis data can link directly to diverse educational tools, providing real-time dietary and health advice.
• Early Detection of High-Risk Events: AI can predict abnormalities in potassium levels, anemia, or osteoporosis, helping prevent complications early.
• Medication Reminder for Nurses: Nurses can set "medication reminders" to avoid missed doses.
• Cross-Department Coordination for Physicians: Doctors can use the app to check medical treatments from other departments in real-time, preventing redundant tests or prescriptions and ensuring integrated care.
From Smart Care to Sustainable Healthcare: Leading the Future of Global Kidney Healthcare
Tri-Service General Hospital's AI Automated Hemodialysis System is Taiwan's first clinical integration of "AI Digital Decision-Making" with "Dialysis Care." This groundbreaking system not only improves medical quality and patient satisfaction but also promotes medical resilience and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) sustainability. This initiative is driven by Tri-Service General Hospital in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Industrial Development Bureau and the Ministry of National Defense's Medical Affairs Bureau. The hospital’s nephrology department will continue to push for international collaborations, develop smart healthcare exports, and showcase Taiwan's global influence in kidney medicine and AI healthcare innovations.