News | Published: Saturday, October 19, 2024
At CV Transforum Fall’24, Thomas M. O’Brien, MD, cardiologist at The Christ Hospital Physicians – Heart & Vascular, shared his journey integrating artificial intelligence (AI) note taking software into his institution’s electronic health record (EHR).
O’Brien began by recounting his struggles before implementing the Ambient in the EPIC system at his institution, especially during long patient consultations. “I wanted to hear the nuances of each patient’s story,” he said. “But after a full day of seeing patients, I’d find myself scrambling to finish notes at home.” The Ambient Note Writer, an AI tool, helped alleviate the burden of taking notes after hours, documented important details and improved trust with his patients who felt heard.
Launching the Ambient Note Taker Pilot Program with 56 users, participants could easily pull up patient profiles and record conversations with a simple tap on their phones. “I’d tell my patients, ‘I’m using this app to take notes,’ and not one person disagreed,” he shared, highlighting the positive patient response.
As the pilot progressed, O’Brien noticed significant improvements in patient interactions. The app allowed him to focus on listening, rather than worrying about documentation. The program resulted in increased satisfaction scores from Press Ganey pre- and post-implementation surveys.
While the AI didn’t statistically change work relative value units, O’Brien emphasized other benefits, including reduced time spent taking notes and “pajama time.” The program is being extended to primary care and will be expanded to specialty areas (with cardiology being the first specialty).
O’Brien encouraged that AI software integration requires provider education, and encouraged finding software options that would seamlessly integrate into specific EHRs. Dr. O’Brien explained the importance of having a supportive IT department to pre-establish templates and smart phrases, making it easier for all staff to adopt the new system.
In conclusion, O’Brien affirmed, “Yes, it has been a game changer for me – and I’m hooked.” His journey not only demonstrates the potential of AI to enhance patient care but also sets an initial benchmark for other programs looking to innovate.
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