(MENAFN- Costa Rica News) The post Artificial Intelligence Has Arrived in the Costa Rican Healthcare System: Pilot Plan at the Clorito Picado Clinic Identifies 130 Patients with Diabetes appeared first on The Costa Rica News.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already transforming the healthcare system in Costa Rica of the first results was seen at the Clorito Picado Clinic, where a pilot project used an algorithm to identify people at high risk of developing diabetes in t he future.

According to Dr. Carlos Solano Salas, medical director of the clinic located in Tibás, the tool was applied to the Single Digital Healt Record (EDUS) database.“It proved to be so accurate that at the beginning of the clinical fieldwork, 130 of the patients already had been diagnosed with diabete. Had it been applied earlier, the disease could have been prevented,” Solano indicated.“The clinic is the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) laboratory where the first pilot plans are developed and then expanded nationwide,” he explained.

How does it work?

The system reviewed more than a million records using an algorithm that cross-references clinical history and risk factors. This analysis revealed that 2% of patients had a high probability of developing the disease. Based on this data, a group of these patients from the Health Department was selected, and an individualized approach was initiated.

“The tool worked. It allowed us to see that the identified risk factors were in the records. But due to the time that elapsed between the design of the model and the activation of the pilot plan, we arrived late; 130 patients were already diabetic. If we had arrived earlier, they might not have been,” Solano noted.

Key step

According to the director, the pilot program officially launched in February, and the first results were obtained within three months. Currently, the clinic monitors those identified to prevent them from developing the disease or to achieve early control.

The expert also emphasizes that preventing diabetes means alleviating the burden on the public system, reducing the costs associated with hospitalizations and complications-such as blindness, kidney failure, or amputations-and avoiding the economic consequences of prolonged disability.

“Prevention is not the same as treatment. From an economic standpoint, this can prevent the system from collapsing. It also has a direct impact on the country's economy,” the doctor emphasized.

Other applications

Following the success of the diabetes pilot, work is now underway on the application to identify other diseases. According to Dr. Solano, the following projects include:

Prediction of acute coronary syndromes, such as heart attacks.

Early detection of retinopathy in newborns through image analysis.

Timely diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy in adults with diabetes.

Support for imaging screening to detect breast and lung cancer, using algorithms that prioritize studies with suspicious findings.

To achieve this, the Fund must strengthen partnerships with universities and technology sector players.“The CCSS cannot develop all the algorithms alone. Partnerships are needed with the TEC, UCR, and private entities with experience in AI, such as Microsoft, always under strict data protection regulations,” the director emphasized.

One of the country's great advantages is the existence of the EDUS (National Institute of Statistics and Censuses).

“Few countries have what Costa Rica does: a consolidated database that covers areas from coastal areas to the center of the country. This big data is the basis for the development of these technologies,” he added.

“A Change of Mindset”

The use of AI in healthcare also implies a cultural and organizational shift. This was stated by Daniel Quesada, a representative of the Digital Health Institute for Transformation (DHIT), who participated in the First National Forum on Artificial Intelligence in Health, where the Clorito Picado case was presented.

“We need a change of mindset. Healthcare personnel must understand that artificial intelligence is not a threat, but rather a tool that supports professional work and benefits patients,” he stated.

Drawing on his international experience, Quesada explained that Costa Rica has the potential to implement cutting-edge solutions adapted to its context. However, it requires effective coordination between institutions, a joint agenda, and ongoing training for staff.

For his part, Rodolfo Garbanzo, vice president of the Costa Rican Chamber of Health, emphasized that the foundations have already been laid.“We already took the hardest step with the EDUS. Now what's needed is to interconnect the tools, strengthen interoperability, and facilitate the adoption of these technologies throughout the entire care cycle,” the doctor emphasized.

National Roadmap

The experience of the Clorito Picado Clinic was one of the highlighted cases during the First National Forum on Artificial Intelligence in Health. The event was organized by the Costa Rican Chamber of Health and the Digital Health Institute for Transformation, in partnership with Ulacit University.

Representatives from the Ministry of Health, the CCSS, universities, technology companies, and international organizations also participated in the event, with the goal of defining a roadmap for artificial intelligence to become a key element in the transformation of the national health system.

“Data-based prevention, equitable access, privacy protection, and process modernization were among the topics that dominated the discussion,” said Garbanzo.

Finally, the various representatives from the public and private sectors agreed to work on a National Agenda on Artificial Intelligence in Health. This initiative is led by:

Costa Rican Chamber of Health

Ministry of Health

Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications (MICITT)

This agenda will address strategic areas such as regulation and ethics, awareness-raising, human talent development, and the practical implementation of these technologies for the benefit of the healthcare system.

The post Artificial Intelligence Has Arrived in the Costa Rican Healthcare System: Pilot Plan at the Clorito Picado Clinic Identifies 130 Patients with Diabetes appeared first on The Costa Rica News.

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