Interventional pulmonology team  

Rapid diagnosis  

▪︎ Enhanced Diagnostic Accuracy with the Introduction of Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS), with the adoption of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), the diagnostic accuracy has significantly improved.
▪︎ When combined with real-time rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) pathology, the diagnostic accuracy can reach 85.3%.
▪︎ Since the implementation of EBUS in our department, the number of lung cancer diagnoses made via bronchoscopy has increased by 20.3%, while the proportion of cases requiring CT-guided biopsy has decreased by 41.5%.
▪︎ Analyzing our hospital’s lung cancer cases, we found that the time from CT imaging to treatment varies based on the diagnostic method used:

1. Patients diagnosed via bronchoscopy had an average time of 20.2 days.
2. Those undergoing CT-guided biopsy required 31.3 days.
3. Patients diagnosed through surgical biopsy took 28.7 days. This data highlights that bronchoscopic diagnosis allows for earlier lung cancer detection and expedited treatment initiation.

Diagnostic & Treatment Case Statistics (2008–2023)
▪︎ Total bronchoscopic procedures performed: 17,369 cases
▪︎ Endobronchial ultrasound procedures conducted: 7,501 cases

Complete staging  

Transesophageal Bronchoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Tumor and Lymph Node Biopsy
▪︎ By integrating bronchoscopy with an ultrasound probe, we can access mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes or tumors via the esophageal route, allowing for ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy.
▪︎ For lesions that cannot be accessed through the trachea or lymph nodes that are otherwise unreachable, this technique significantly improves diagnostic accuracy and enables more precise tissue sampling.

Diagnostic & Treatment Case Statistics (2008–2023)
▪︎ Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) of mediastinal lymph nodes: 1,728 cases
▪︎ Transesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided tumor or lymph node biopsy (EUS-B-FNA): 115 cases

EBUS-TBMFB  

Innovative Development: EBUS-TransBronchial Mini-Forcep Biopsy
▪︎ EBUS-TransBronchial Mini-Forcep Biopsy(EBUS-TBMFB) is an advanced complementary technique to EBUS-TBNA (fine-needle aspiration biopsy), particularly beneficial for cases requiring larger tissue samples or specific pathological diagnoses.
▪︎ This technique combines the precision of ultrasound guidance with the accuracy of forceps biopsy, providing a highly effective and safe solution for the diagnosis and staging of mediastinal and hilar lesions.

Diagnostic & Treatment Case Statistics (2008–2023)
▪︎ EBUS-TBMFB procedures performed: 92 cases

Navigation bronchoscopy

▪︎ Navigational Bronchoscopy: Advanced 3D Imaging & Guidance Technology
▪︎ Navigational bronchoscopy is an advanced technique that integrates 3D imaging with a navigation system, enabling precise localization of pulmonary nodules and expanding possibilities for early lung cancer diagnosis.
▪︎ This technology is also valuable for preoperative localization, allowing for accurate identification of lesions, thereby reducing surgical time and improving procedural efficiency.

Central airway tumor dissection

▪︎ In Taiwan, approximately 13,000 new lung cancer cases are diagnosed annually, with 5% to 10% of patients experiencing central airway obstruction.
▪︎ Bronchoscopic electrocautery resection is primarily used to remove tumors obstructing the trachea or bronchi, restoring airway patency and improving respiratory function.
▪︎ This technique utilizes high-frequency electrical current to generate heat, allowing for tumor ablation, cutting, or coagulation, effectively achieving tumor removal.
▪︎ In selected cases, airway stent placement can be performed concurrently to further enhance airway patency and patient recovery.
 

Diagnostic & Treatment Case Statistics (2008–2023)
▪︎ Electrocautery and stent placement procedures performed: 1,319 cases

Bronchoscopic Balloon Dilation

▪︎ Bronchoscopic balloon dilation is a procedure used to relieve airway obstruction caused by tracheal or bronchial stenosis.
▪︎ With the assistance of a bronchoscope, a specially designed inflatable balloon catheter is positioned at the narrowed airway segment. The balloon is then expanded to temporarily or permanently open the airway, restoring normal airflow and improving breathing function.
 

Diagnostic & Treatment Case Statistics (2008–2023)
▪︎ Bronchoscopic balloon dilation procedures performed: 385 cases

Bronchoscopic Foreign Body Removal

▪︎ Bronchoscopic foreign body removal is an effective procedure for patients experiencing acute airway obstruction or chronic complications due to inhaled foreign objects.
▪︎ This procedure plays a crucial role in rapidly restoring airway patency, reducing complications, and avoiding the need for surgical intervention, Key Benefits:
- Minimally Invasive ：Eliminates the need for open-chest surgery, resulting in less trauma and faster recovery.
- High Efficiency ：Provides direct visualization for precise and rapid removal of airway obstructions.
- Versatility ：Adaptable to different types and locations of foreign bodies.

Diagnostic & Treatment Case Statistics (2008–2023)
▪︎ Bronchoscopic foreign body removal procedures performed: 279 cases

Critical Care team  

"AIoT Critical Care Command Center – HiThings Tele-ICU"  

Demonstrating innovation and integration in smart healthcare.
▪︎ Led by Director Dr. Der-Yang Chou, a multidisciplinary medical and IT team harnesses technology to empower information integration, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on their medical expertise.
▪︎ HiThings Tele-ICU functions like a personalized command center for each patient, continuously collecting and analyzing various data in real time. It integrates the i.A.M.S (Intelligent Antimicrobial System), Smart Heart AI, and ARDiTeX (Intelligent Lung Care) platforms. By utilizing Digital Twin technology, it assists physicians in diagnosis, enables early intervention, helps predict risks in advance, improves patient outcomes, and enhances the overall quality of critical care.
▪︎ 3D human body model visualization – Displays organ severity levels for intuitive assessment.
▪︎ AI-powered diagnostics – Assists in detecting and alerting medical teams to critical conditions such as sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and myocardial infarction. With a single system and interface, healthcare professionals can efficiently oversee a patient's complete condition in real time.

Intelligent Lung Care ARDiTeX: A Foundation for Information Integration, Visual Screening, and Treatment Monitoring

▪︎ By integrating visualized information and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, ARDiTeX enhances the quality of care for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
▪︎ The implementation of ARDiTeX has led to :

1. A 22% increase in ARDS diagnosis rates.
2. A 17.8% improvement in lung-protective strategies.
3. A 39.6% enhancement in comprehensive nursing care.
4. An 18.9% reduction in mortality rates.