Nashville-based Ardent Health is a prominent healthcare organization with 30 hospitals and over 280 sites of care across six states. Recently, the organization made a strategic move by appointing Anika Gardenhire, RN, as its first chief digital and information officer in 2023. Gardenhire wasted no time in revolutionizing the health system’s digital strategy to enhance the overall patient and provider experience.
One of the key focuses of Ardent Health’s digital strategy under Gardenhire’s leadership is the implementation of ambient technologies to support healthcare providers. This includes automating the collection of vital signs using sensors and improving documentation processes through innovative systems. By leveraging ambient listening AI, Gardenhire aims to reduce the administrative burden on clinicians and enhance code capture and documentation practices.
Integrating new technologies, such as AI, into daily operations requires a clear understanding of use cases and workflows. Gardenhire emphasizes the importance of operational business partnerships and customer buy-in to ensure successful integration. Ardent Health has established governance structures to prioritize use cases and introduce impactful toolsets accordingly.
Maintaining a human-centric approach is paramount in a technology-driven healthcare environment, according to Gardenhire. She emphasizes the importance of driving tangible outcomes and value for end-users through intentional bias management, accessibility considerations, and stakeholder engagement. By fostering innovation while ensuring equitable access to care, Ardent Health aims to deliver meaningful digital solutions to diverse patient populations.
Gardenhire is a proponent of augmented intelligence, which she believes should revolutionize clinical care by incorporating a human-in-the-loop approach. By strategically placing intelligence and automation to support human decision-making, healthcare organizations can leverage technology to predict and prevent adverse events. Human-computer interaction plays a crucial role in ensuring the timely intervention of healthcare providers based on AI-generated insights.
In conclusion, Gardenhire’s visionary approach to digital transformation at Ardent Health underscores the importance of aligning technology with human needs and operational outcomes. By prioritizing use cases, fostering innovation, and promoting equitable access to care, Ardent Health is poised to lead the way in leveraging cutting-edge technologies for improved patient outcomes and provider satisfaction.
