Dr. Karandeep Singh, Chief Health AI Officer at UC San Diego Health, is at the forefront of using artificial intelligence to drive improvements in healthcare. In a recent interview, he shared insights into how UC San Diego Health is leveraging AI to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.
UC San Diego Health is utilizing AI in two main categories: predictive AI and generative AI. Predictive AI is being used to estimate the risk of adverse outcomes and design interventions to prevent them. One notable success story is the implementation of a predictive AI model for sepsis, which has saved approximately 50 lives annually in the health system’s emergency rooms. Additionally, predictive AI is being utilized for forecasting purposes, such as predicting patient volumes in the emergency department.
On the generative AI front, UC San Diego Health is exploring capabilities within the electronic health record to streamline communication between patients and healthcare providers. For instance, clinicians have the option to use AI-generated draft responses when replying to patient messages, reducing the time required to respond.
One project overseen by Dr. Singh is the Mission Control Forecasting Model, which underwent significant improvements to enhance accuracy and reliability. By collaborating with data scientists and refining the model over several months, UC San Diego Health achieved more accurate predictions, allowing for better planning and resource allocation.
For executives aspiring to become Chief AI Officers in healthcare, Dr. Singh offers valuable tips. Understanding the intersection of healthcare and AI is crucial, as is the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders from both domains. Whether coming from a healthcare or AI background, Chief AI Officers must possess a diverse skill set encompassing technical expertise, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement.
In conclusion, the role of Chief AI Officer in healthcare is evolving rapidly, with organizations like UC San Diego Health leading the way in innovative AI applications. By leveraging AI to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency, healthcare systems can stay at the forefront of technological advancements in the industry.
For more insights from Dr. Karandeep Singh and other healthcare IT leaders, stay connected with Healthcare IT News, a HIMSS Media publication.
