An increasing number of healthcare organizations are turning to artificial intelligence-powered clinical documentation to alleviate the burden on care teams and improve overall efficiency. One such success story comes from Reid Health, a health system based in Richmond, Indiana, serving patients across east central Indiana and west central Ohio.
THE CHALLENGE
Reid Health was facing a common issue among healthcare providers – burned out care teams. Primary and specialty care physicians were spending hours after work completing paperwork, leading to decreased job satisfaction and overall well-being. CIO Muhammad Siddiqui recognized the toll this was taking on the team and sought a solution to give them back valuable time and restore joy to their work.
PROPOSAL
Siddiqui and his team decided to implement ambient genAI technology, allowing doctors to focus on patient care while AI technology captured visit details and generated clinical notes. This innovative approach aimed to streamline the documentation process and reduce the administrative burden on clinicians, aligning with Reid Health’s values of personal, human-centered care.
MEETING THE CHALLENGE
Reid Health started with a pilot program in high-volume specialties, such as family medicine, cardiology, and urgent care. Clinicians used a secure app that listened during visits and automatically created draft notes in the electronic health record. The AI technology seamlessly integrated into existing workflows, providing accurate and timely documentation without disrupting patient interactions.
RESULTS
The impact of implementing ambient genAI technology at Reid Health was significant. Clinicians experienced up to an 86% reduction in note completion time, allowing for more time with patients and improved work-life balance. After-hours documentation decreased by 34%, giving providers the opportunity to disconnect and recharge outside of work hours. Documentation turnaround improved by 87%, leading to faster patient communication and increased clinician satisfaction.
Advice for Others
Siddiqui emphasizes the importance of prioritizing caregiver well-being and involving clinicians in the implementation process. He recommends starting with areas experiencing the most strain, focusing on change management, and selecting a technology solution that seamlessly integrates with existing systems and supports diverse patient populations. For Reid Health, ambient genAI technology not only transformed the documentation process but also realigned the organization with its mission of providing compassionate and effective care.
In conclusion, Reid Health’s success story with ambient genAI technology serves as a testament to the power of AI in healthcare documentation. By prioritizing clinician well-being and leveraging innovative technology solutions, organizations can improve efficiency, enhance patient care, and ultimately, fulfill their mission of caring for people in a human-centered and sustainable way.
