North Shore Health adds advanced radiology equipment, AI-assisted imaging

North Shore Health’s radiology department is operating with new, cutting-edge technology.

A new X-ray machine and a portable X-ray unit are enabling technicians to capture higher-quality images and improve patient care.

According to Radiology Director Brian Hady, the hospital’s previous X-ray machine dated to the 2000s.

“It’s been a while, and the one we had before this was refurbished when we got it,” Hady told WTIP. “So, a brand-new X-ray system — it’s been a very long time.”

The new system includes presets that help technicians align the machine and position patients for optimal imaging. The images provide greater detail than those from previous machines, allowing providers more precision when making diagnoses or examining objects in the body, such as staples, screws or intubation equipment.

In addition to imaging, the technology uses artificial intelligence to flag potential abnormalities.

“It triggers when it detects either pneumothorax or an ET tube or anything that has those are the main programs that it has right now. But once we take an image with those in there, if it notices it, it’ll create a third image and then highlight that,” Hady said.

A radiologist can adjust the system’s programming to increase or decrease recommendations based on the software’s level of certainty.

Procuring new technology can be challenging for a small hospital, Hady said, citing limited funding and logistical hurdles.

“We’re small, and so the funding is limited. Also, just the area that we’re in, you know, it’s a long way up here to get equipment up here,” Hady said. “Some companies, they only work with very large organizations that have multiple locations and things like that. So it’s just some of the things you’ve got to factor in when making a purchase like this.”

Installing the new equipment required significant preparation. Trainers traveled from Chicago and worked with staff for several days to ensure proper use of the machines.

Hady said purchasing new equipment, rather than refurbished machines, was a practical decision.

“If the equipment goes down for whatever reason, we have to wait for a technician to drive all the way up here, and during that time, any patients that are coming in don’t have that technology available to them, which can cause issues, obviously, “Hady told WTIP. “So that’s just something we factor in to where, where the location of the maintenance people are for each of the companies that I looked at as part of that technology too.”

The machines also allow images to be shared across the country. Providers can send scans to primary care doctors outside the region, and radiologists who interpret the images often work remotely.

While imaging technology continues to advance, Hady said the new system represents a high standard for hospitals of all sizes.

“There really isn’t anything better out there than this,” Hady said. “If the hospital hasn’t replaced their equipment in the last year, then it’s probably not to this level.”

WTIP spoke with Hady about his journey to North Shore Health and the new technology. Audio of that conversation is available below.

Josh Hinke March 25, 2026