Clínica Andes Salud Concepcion
Bringing the Digital Future to Radiology

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n radiology, improving medical images has always been a priority. The urgency of the pandemic drove the adoption of innovative solutions in this field. Radiological telehealth and remote patient monitoring are transformations that healthcare organizations have made a reality, committed to providing the highest quality care.

Clínica Andes Salud Concepción emerges as a leader in this paradigm shift, offering cutting-edge technology in diagnosis and treatment centers in all regions of Chile, including Concepción.

“Our main objective is to allow each patient to receive high-quality diagnostic services close to their residence, avoiding the need to leave their family units. We have acquired advanced equipment to achieve this goal, such as PET-CT scanners, MRI machines, ultrasound machines and CT scans,” says Dr. Jorge Claro Muñoz, head of the imaging service at Andes Salud.

The company is known for its high-tech equipment with the lowest co-pays in the country, a portion of the exam cost paid by patients. Its patient base includes people from the National Health Fund (FONASA) and those with private insurance, Pension Health Institutes (ISAPRES). What sets Andes Salud apart is its ability to care for disadvantaged patients who lack FONASA insurance or private coverage and are treated through public bidding processes.

Another differentiating factor of the company is its close relationship with renowned companies in the field of diagnosis such as Siemens, Mindray, General Electric and Philips. It also collaborates with Bayer for the use of intravenous contrast agents. These partnerships provide Andes Salud with access to innovative tools that enhance its interventional radiology services, including stereotaxics, thyroid procedures and core biopsy. They also allow the company to obtain educational resources and agreements to provide training to doctors, specialists and medical technologists.

Continuous improvement courses help the team acquire skills and capabilities to reduce the risks associated with healthcare.

At the same time, the company partners with the public and private sectors to support essential screening campaigns such as breast ultrasound, mammography, stereotactic biopsies and virtual colonoscopies. These procedures aim to detect various types of cancer, providing patients with timely diagnoses and treatments.

Andes Salud Concepción Clinic has also adopted artificial intelligence (AI) to improve image processing, reduce exam acquisition time and increase diagnostic accuracy. This initiative aligns with the National Accreditation standards outlined by Minsal, Chile’s state agency that addresses health issues. Minsal ensures quality control, low complaint rates, reduction of adverse events and other associated situations that are clinically controlled in each clinic, including Concepción.

Andes Salud Concepción Clinic has achieved notable success in patient care, reflecting its experience and efficient implementation of tools and technologies. For example, with PET-CT, oncology patients receive an accurate diagnosis and continue their treatment without needing to leave their comfort zone. Similarly, medical examinations are performed using AI-enhanced MRI machines. Evaluations last 5 to 15 minutes in a more welcoming and illuminated environment, reducing the need for anesthesia for claustrophobic and elderly patients.

The company is seeking further regional expansion and aims to add a radiotherapy unit to the Concepción clinic, which will be a part of the imaging service. This will improve planning and treatment procedures for oncology patients, complementing existing services such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.

Today, Andes Salud Concepción Clinic leads the radiology space with new innovations and comprehensive healthcare models that maintain centralized control to provide consistency and quality across all medical facilities. The company is also ISO certified, highlighting its commitment to safer and more precise procedures.