10 ways NC health care providers are harnessing AI

AI: Transforming Healthcare in North Carolina

Faced with a growing healthcare​ worker shortage and provider burnout, ​North Carolina’s health systems are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) as​ a potential solution. Hospitals across the‌ state are integrating AI tools to enhance the patient and provider experience, from predicting⁢ health risks to streamlining ⁤administrative tasks.

AI-Powered Diagnosis and Care

1. Detecting Lung ​Cancer with AI Assistance

Atrium ⁣Health Wake Forest Baptist⁣ is leveraging⁣ AI to improve⁤ early lung cancer detection. Pulmonologists‍ use a tool called‌ the Virtual Nodule Clinic,‍ which assigns a cancer risk score‌ to lung nodules identified on scans. This AI-driven system provides valuable support for clinicians, helping them make informed decisions, especially in cases with‌ intermediate cancer ‌risk.

“its another ‍level of ‌support that⁣ gets added to​ the clinician’s feelings and thier synopsis of how they feel about the nodule,” said⁢ Travis Dotson, a pulmonologist at Wake Forest ‍baptist. “The right thing ⁢to do is to just be⁢ conservative, which you can ​imagine could be pretty hard for a patient if they’re very concerned and there’s the uncertainty about what this⁣ nodule is.”

Dotson emphasizes that AI augments clinical judgment and that patients have​ been receptive to this technology’s role in healthcare.

2. ‍AI-Driven Post-Surgical Check-Ins

OrthoCarolina in Charlotte has implemented Medical Brain, an AI-powered digital assistant that proactively follows up with patients⁤ recovering from hip or knee⁣ surgery. ⁢This innovative tool monitors patient progress, identifies‍ potential complications early‍ on, and ⁣ensures smooth post-operative ‍care.

Beyond Diagnosis: AI in action

North Carolina⁣ health providers are exploring ​diverse applications of AI to ‌address various challenges.

AI Revolutionizes ⁣North Carolina Healthcare: From Diagnosis to Patient Communication

North Carolina is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into⁣ healthcare, embracing innovative technologies to improve patient care, streamline workflows, and⁤ enhance the ‌overall healthcare‌ experience. From faster and more accurate medical screenings to reducing the administrative burden on⁤ clinicians, ​AI ​is transforming the landscape of North Carolina’s medical‍ system.

AI-Powered Recovery for Joint Replacement Patients

OrthoCarolina, a leading orthopedic ⁣practise, is ‍leveraging AI to improve ⁣post-operative care for hip and knee replacement patients. through a ‌smartphone app powered by Medical ‍Brain technology,patients receive personalized support and⁤ details throughout their recovery journey. ⁤

This⁢ interactive AI ‍tool engages patients with tailored questions⁢ and provides timely answers‍ to their ⁤concerns,reducing the need for phone calls or in-person visits.OrthoCarolina’s chief Quality‍ and Progress ‌Officer, ⁢Dr. Brian‌ Krenzel, highlights ‌the important impact‌ of this technology: “In the four months since we started using Medical brain, it⁤ has interacted⁢ with about 200 patients, averaging 30 to 60⁣ messages per patient. It has reduced the volume ‍of traditional messages and ‍phone calls ⁢coming into the clinic by about 70 percent.”

While a medical team manually reviews every patient interaction, the system relies ​on pre-written responses loaded into their​ system, ensuring accuracy and consistency. The app is currently being rolled out to all hip and knee patients⁢ and is being adapted for spine surgery patients.

AI Expedites Diagnoses and Saves Precious time in Emergency Rooms

Novant Health ​is utilizing ⁣AI in its emergency rooms to rapidly identify critical conditions ​from patient⁢ X-rays and scans. This AI⁢ technology ⁣acts as a “second set of ‌eyes ‌for radiologists,” according to spokeswoman⁤ Caroline Arey, helping them prioritize the most urgent cases, such as broken necks, brain bleeds, or blood clots. This not only expedites treatment for patients in need but ⁣also alleviates the strain ‌on radiologists, who frequently enough face intense time pressure.

“The technology helps them identify the most acute ⁢cases frist and eases the burnout frequently enough ‍experienced when working against the clock to ensure fast diagnosis and treatment,” Arey ‌explained.

In addition, Novant Health ​utilizes Viz.ai, an⁣ AI platform specializing in⁤ analyzing CT scans for suspected‍ stroke patients. This tool quickly detects perilous blockages in brain arteries, sending alerts to ⁢stroke specialists’ smartphones within seconds. Every minute counts in stroke treatment as millions of ‍brain ‌cells​ die with each passing‌ minute, increasing the risk of permanent brain damage.

AI Assists Clinicians with Managing Patient Portals

The surge in patient portal messages since the ⁣pandemic has created a ‌significant workload burden for clinicians across the ⁢country. In response,Atrium Health and WakeMed have turned to AI to help manage this influx⁢ of communication.

WakeMed has successfully reduced patient portal messages by 12 to 15 per provider ‌per day by using AI to draft responses, filter out unnecessary messages, and forward others to appropriate staff members. ​Atrium Health employs AI to ‌draft initial responses to‍ patient messages, which are then reviewed and edited by the ‌clinical team⁣ before being sent.

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that AI-generated messages outperformed those written by humans in understandability and tone, and were more than twice ‍as likely to be considered empathetic.However, the AI⁢ responses⁤ were also 38 percent longer and‌ more likely to use complex language.

AI Revolutionizing Healthcare in North ‍Carolina

North Carolina’s healthcare landscape is undergoing a dramatic change thanks to the integration of artificial intelligence ‍(AI). Hospitals and health​ systems across the state are leveraging​ AI’s ⁢power to enhance patient care, improve efficiency, and ultimately save lives.

Personalized Medicine with AI

One of AI’s most promising applications in healthcare⁣ is personalized medicine. at Wake Forest University School of Medicine,researchers have developed an ⁣AI-powered screening tool​ called ​the⁢ electronic Cognitive Health Index. This innovative ​tool helps identify patients who might potentially be at risk of developing cognitive impairment, allowing for ‍early intervention and⁢ specialized care.

Keeping Patients on ​Track with AI

Missing follow-up appointments can have serious consequences for patient health. Duke Health is using AI to combat this issue, employing algorithms to identify patients overdue for mammograms.

Similarly,Wake Forest Baptist’s Virtual⁣ Nodule Clinic uses AI to flag patients who have missed their follow-up lung scans,ensuring timely intervention for a critical aspect of lung nodule management.

Early Detection of Sepsis with AI

Duke‌ health has implemented a groundbreaking AI tool called Sepsis Watch⁤ in its emergency rooms. Trained on data​ from over 42,000 patient encounters,Sepsis Watch analyzes a patient’s vital signs and medical​ history to identify those at high risk ​of developing​ sepsis,a⁣ life-threatening condition.

“the rapid response team ⁢will ​take a second look at the chart and talk ‍with the patient’s primary care team to see if the primary care ‍team should be thinking about sepsis as a condition, and whether they ⁣are doing all the appropriate things to rule⁤ out sepsis or ⁢an underlying infection,” said Eric ‍Poon, Chief Health Information Officer at Duke Health.

Duke’s rigorous vetting process ensures that AI tools like Sepsis Watch ⁣are safe, effective, and equitable. The ​system has already⁣ resulted in a significant 31⁣ percent reduction in‍ sepsis mortality rates.

Addressing Concerns and Looking Ahead

While AI offers tremendous promise for healthcare, ‍there are ⁣valid concerns about ‍its impact on the doctor-patient relationship and the potential for missed nuances in patient concerns.It’s crucial to balance the benefits of ‍AI with the importance of human interaction ⁢and personalized care.

As AI ‍technology continues​ to evolve, its role in healthcare is highly likely to expand, further⁤ transforming the way we diagnose, treat, and manage diseases.

AI is Revolutionizing Healthcare in North ‍Carolina

North Carolina’s healthcare landscape⁤ is being transformed by the innovative application of artificial intelligence (AI). Leading health systems like Duke Health, Novant Health,‌ and UNC Health are harnessing the power of AI to improve patient care, streamline operations, ⁣and⁢ enhance efficiency across the board.

Improving Patient Safety and Outcomes

One of the most significant impacts of AI in healthcare is⁢ its ability ‌to‌ identify patients at risk. ⁤At Novant Health, a machine learning system ​analyzes patient data in real-time to flag those at risk of ‍suicide.this Behavioral Health‍ Acuity Risk⁤ model provides a simple,⁢ color-coded risk assessment within the⁣ electronic medical record, enabling rapid intervention⁤ for​ patients ⁤in crisis.

Duke Health is utilizing AI to predict which oncology patients are most likely to require hospitalization.This predictive algorithm, invisible to patients, empowers the clinical team to focus on ⁢those who need the⁣ most immediate attention, ensuring timely⁣ and effective care.

Optimizing Operating Room Efficiency

Duke Health is also leveraging AI to enhance‌ operating room ⁤efficiency. ​A newly implemented AI model accurately predicts surgery durations, surpassing human schedulers​ by 13%.⁤ This has significant cost implications, as operating rooms are estimated to cost between $22 and $133 per minute.

By streamlining scheduling, AI reduces expenses like overtime⁤ and allows for more efficient use ‌of valuable resources.

Streamlining Administrative Tasks

UNC Health is embracing generative‌ AI ‍to alleviate ⁣administrative burdens on its staff. An internal chatbot answers UNC Health-related questions and directs users to relevant training resources.

This innovative tool frees⁣ up valuable time for healthcare providers, allowing them to spend more time with patients and less time navigating complex systems. As David McSwain, UNC Health’s chief medical informatics officer, emphasizes, “This is just one example of an ‌innovative way to use this technology so ⁢that teammates can spend more time with patients and⁣ less⁢ time in front of a computer.”

Leading the Way in AI-Powered ‌Healthcare

These are just a few examples of how North Carolina’s healthcare systems are leading the way⁣ in using ​AI to improve ⁣patient care and optimize operations. As ​AI technology‌ continues to⁤ evolve, we can expect to see even ⁤more innovative applications emerge, further transforming the healthcare ​landscape in the years to come.

North Carolina Health‌ Systems Embrace Generative AI

The future of healthcare is evolving rapidly, ‍and⁣ North Carolina is at the⁢ forefront of this transformation. Several leading health systems across the state have partnered with Epic, a prominent electronic health record (EHR) provider, to pilot innovative generative AI tools developed in collaboration with Microsoft.

Harnessing the Power of‌ AI for Enhanced Care

These pilot programs aim to explore the potential of generative AI to revolutionize various aspects of healthcare delivery.​ From⁢ streamlining administrative tasks to improving diagnostic accuracy ‍and‌ personalizing patient care, ⁤the possibilities seem boundless.

“Generative AI ‌has the potential to ⁤be truly transformative,” said a spokesperson for one participating health system. “We’re excited to explore how these tools can definitely help us provide even better care to our patients.”⁣

A Collaborative ​Approach⁣ to ​Innovation

The collaboration between​ Epic and Microsoft brings together​ industry leaders with a shared commitment to advancing ‌healthcare through technological innovation. Epic’s deep understanding⁤ of EHR systems combined with Microsoft’s expertise in AI development creates ⁢a powerful synergy.

The pilot programs will‌ involve a extensive evaluation⁢ of the⁣ generative AI tools, focusing on their impact⁤ on⁢ clinical workflows, patient outcomes, and overall efficiency.

The results‍ of these pilot programs are eagerly awaited by healthcare professionals and policymakers alike, as they hold the ‍key to unlocking a new era of clever and patient-centered care in North Carolina and beyond.

What factors influence ⁤the accuracy of surgical ⁢case duration​ predictions in AI-powered systems?

lemented AI ‌system analyzes historical data and real-time inputs to predict surgical case durations more accurately. This allows ⁤for better scheduling, ⁢reduces ⁤delays, and⁤ ensures that operating rooms are used ‍more ⁤efficiently. ​By minimizing downtime and optimizing resource allocation, Duke Health is improving patient care while ⁤also ‍reducing costs.

Enhancing Diagnostic Accuracy

AI is proving to be ⁣a game-changer in diagnostic accuracy. UNC Health is using AI-powered ⁣imaging tools to detect abnormalities ‍in medical scans with‌ greater precision. As an example, AI algorithms are being used to identify early signs of breast cancer in mammograms, ‌frequently enough catching subtle changes that might be missed by the human eye. ⁢This early detection is critical for improving patient outcomes and survival rates.

Streamlining Administrative Tasks

The administrative burden on healthcare providers is a⁢ significant challenge, ⁣but‌ AI is helping to alleviate this issue. atrium‍ Health has implemented AI-driven solutions to automate routine tasks such as appointment scheduling, billing,⁢ and insurance ‌claims ‍processing. this not only reduces the workload on ⁣staff but​ also minimizes errors and speeds up administrative processes, allowing healthcare providers to focus more on‍ patient ​care.

AI in Mental⁤ Health Care

Mental health ‌care is another area where AI ‍is making a significant impact. Wake Forest baptist Health is using AI to analyze patient data and identify those at risk of mental health issues ​such as depression and anxiety. By flagging these patients early, healthcare‌ providers can intervene⁤ sooner, offering support and treatment before conditions worsen. This proactive approach is improving mental health outcomes and reducing the stigma‍ associated with⁤ seeking help.

Addressing Ethical and Privacy Concerns

While the benefits of‌ AI in​ healthcare are clear, there are ⁢also important ethical and privacy considerations. Ensuring that patient data is handled ⁣securely and⁣ that AI algorithms are free from⁢ bias ⁣is crucial. North Carolina health systems are working closely with ethicists, data scientists, ‍and legal ​experts ‍to develop guidelines and protocols‍ that protect ⁤patient⁢ privacy and ensure the ethical use of AI.

Looking to the Future

The integration​ of AI into‍ North Carolina’s healthcare system is still in its ‌early stages, but the potential is immense. As AI technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovative applications that‍ will further enhance patient care, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. From personalized medicine to predictive analytics,⁢ AI ​is poised​ to revolutionize healthcare⁢ in ways we are‌ only beginning to imagine.

North⁢ Carolina is leading ​the way in ​harnessing the power of AI to transform healthcare. ⁢By improving patient safety, enhancing ‌diagnostic accuracy, streamlining administrative tasks, and addressing⁢ mental health care, AI is making a profound impact on the state’s ⁣healthcare system. As we move forward, it is​ essential to continue addressing⁣ ethical and privacy concerns while exploring new ‍ways to leverage AI for the benefit of all patients.