Medical Care
AI 411: November's Healthcare AI Announcements
2024-12-03
Welcome back to our in-depth exploration of the healthcare industry's AI advancements. Each month, we bring you the latest news and developments from across the field. This November, there have been some significant announcements that are set to reshape the way healthcare is delivered.
Unveiling the Power of AI in Healthcare
Massachusetts-based Health System's New AI Tool
This month, Mass General Brigham, a renowned health system based in Massachusetts, made a remarkable announcement. They introduced a new AI tool with the aim of detecting more cases of long Covid. This innovative tool not only helps in identifying a higher number of such cases but also collects valuable data on the prevalence of the condition. It holds great potential in enhancing our understanding and management of long Covid.Moreover, the data collected through this AI tool will serve as a crucial resource for healthcare professionals. It will enable them to make more informed decisions and provide better care to patients suffering from long Covid. This initiative by Mass General Brigham showcases the growing importance of AI in healthcare and its ability to address complex health issues.OpenAI's Whisper Tool in Healthcare Debate
In the midst of the AI boom in healthcare, OpenAI's Whisper tool has become a topic of discussion. This AI scribe, designed to take notes for clinicians, has faced accusations of adding words to transcripts that patients and providers never said. Such incidents raise concerns about the accuracy and reliability of AI in healthcare documentation.While AI offers numerous benefits, it is essential to ensure its proper use and validation. The debate surrounding OpenAI's Whisper tool highlights the need for strict quality control measures and ethical guidelines in the integration of AI into healthcare. Healthcare providers and researchers must carefully evaluate the performance and limitations of AI tools to avoid any potential errors or misinterpretations.Tenet Healthcare's Partnership with Commure
Tenet Healthcare, a 52-hospital network based in Dallas, Texas, has taken a significant step by selecting AI scribe company Commure as its ambient listening technology. This partnership will enable Commure's AI scribe to take clinical notes for Tenet Physician Resources, the company's physician network.By integrating Commure's technology, Tenet Healthcare aims to streamline their documentation processes and improve the efficiency of clinical care. The ambient listening feature allows for seamless note-taking, reducing the burden on clinicians and enabling them to focus more on patient care. This partnership is a testament to the growing acceptance and utilization of AI in healthcare settings.Mount Sinai's AI Center for Healthcare
On November 25, Mount Sinai, a prominent institution in New York City, opened the Hamilton and Amabel James Center for Artificial Intelligence and Human Health. This center is dedicated to researching and developing AI tools for healthcare.Some of the initiatives undertaken by the center include the Windreich Department of AI and Human Health. This department is focused on finding ways to incorporate AI into the eight Mount Sinai hospitals, enhancing their clinical capabilities. Additionally, the Institute for Genomic Health and Division of Medical Genetics within the center is working towards finding unique genetic treatments for patients.Mount Sinai's efforts in leveraging AI for healthcare demonstrate their commitment to advancing medical research and improving patient outcomes. The integration of AI into various aspects of healthcare at Mount Sinai holds great promise for the future.PatientsLikeMe and Ubie's Partnership
PatientsLikeMe, a health management company, joined forces with health tech company Ubie on November 13. Ubie's AI Symptom Checker tool provides patients with information about existing health conditions and directs them to relevant providers.As part of this partnership, PatientsLikeMe plans to utilize its platform to connect patients with similar medical conditions. This enables patients to share resources and experiences, fostering a sense of community and support. By combining the strengths of both companies, patients can benefit from a more comprehensive approach to healthcare.University of Houston's AI Research
With a $500,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health, researchers at the University of Houston are making significant strides in using AI to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes for marginalized patients.Specifically, the team is focusing on cardiometabolic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, which are major causes of death worldwide and affect Black and Latino adults in the US at higher rates. By analyzing audio, video, and biometric sensor data using AI, the researchers aim to create personalized care plans and help patients make lifestyle changes.This research by the University of Houston showcases the potential of AI in addressing health inequalities and improving the well-being of vulnerable populations.Suki's New Partnerships in EHR
Ambient listening tech company Suki announced two new partnerships on November 20 with electronic health record (EHR) companies Medent and Azalea Health. This expansion further solidifies Suki's position in the healthcare technology space.Previously, Suki had already partnered with Athenahealth and Meditech to embed its AI scribe into more EHRs. These new partnerships will enable Suki to reach a wider audience and provide its services to more healthcare organizations. The integration of Suki's technology with EHR systems is expected to enhance clinical documentation and improve the overall workflow in healthcare settings.Upheal's Series A Funding and Features
AI scribe Upheal announced a $10 million Series A round led by venture capital firms. This significant funding will fuel the company's growth and enable it to continue developing innovative features.Upheal specializes in mental healthcare and has introduced features like group-based note sharing and custom note-taking templates. These features enhance the collaborative aspect of mental healthcare and provide clinicians with more flexibility in documenting patient interactions. With this funding, Upheal is well-positioned to make a lasting impact in the mental health care space.Veradigm Ambient Scribe's Entry
Another AI scribe made its mark when the Veradigm Ambient Scribe went live on November 21. Created by health tech companies Veradigm and AvodahMed, this technology aims to assist clinicians with documentation.The Veradigm Ambient Scribe provides a valuable tool for clinicians, helping them streamline their documentation processes and improve the accuracy of patient records. By automating certain aspects of documentation, this AI scribe frees up clinicians' time and allows them to focus more on patient care.In conclusion, November has been a month of significant advancements in AI within the healthcare industry. These various initiatives and partnerships are paving the way for a more efficient and patient-centered healthcare system. As AI continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the coming months.