The Joint Commission and the Coalition for Health AI have announced a new partnership aimed at developing guidance for the implementation of artificial intelligence tools in healthcare. This collaboration will result in the creation of playbooks that will provide direction on how to effectively utilize AI technology in the healthcare sector. The first set of guidelines is expected to be released in the fall, with the Joint Commission planning to introduce a certification program for evaluating responsible AI deployment at a later date.
The main goal of this guidance is to assist health systems in safely adopting, managing, and monitoring AI tools within healthcare settings. Dr. Brian Anderson, CEO of CHAI, highlighted the challenges that health systems face in terms of allocating resources for the implementation of AI technology. He emphasized the importance of being able to do so in a financially sustainable manner, especially for larger healthcare organizations in the U.S.
CHAI, established in 2021, boasts a membership of 3,000 organizations, including academic medical centers, rural health systems, technology firms, and startups. The group has already developed resources for AI in healthcare, such as guides for development and deployment, model cards describing AI tools, and a registry for accessing these tools.
The collaboration between CHAI and the Joint Commission holds significant promise, given the latter’s extensive reach within the healthcare industry. With accreditation for over 23,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the U.S., the Joint Commission’s involvement in developing AI guidelines is crucial.
The use of AI in healthcare has garnered increasing interest due to its potential to streamline administrative tasks for providers, such as documentation, prior authorization requests, and data analysis. However, there are inherent risks associated with AI technology, including inaccuracies, biases, and the need for continuous monitoring to ensure optimal performance.
The guidance being developed by CHAI and the Joint Commission will address these challenges by providing recommendations on governance processes, technical infrastructure requirements, and the importance of collaboration with AI vendors. These playbooks will cater to a variety of healthcare providers, taking into account differences in resources and capabilities.
The initial guidance is set to be released in the fall, with a certification program to follow. This program will build upon the Responsible Use of Health Data Certification introduced by the Joint Commission in 2023. Dr. Jonathan Perlin, president and CEO of the Joint Commission, expressed optimism about the impact of these initiatives in promoting the responsible use of AI technology in healthcare.
