⚕️Health Systems' Top Digital Priorities

Plus: Patient Referral Tracking, Latest Breakthroughs and more

July 26, 2024

Good Morning! World’s first test tube baby turned 46 years old yesterday, her birthday also celebrated as World IVF Day. The journey was not an easy one. It took 102 failed embryo transfers including an ectopic pregnancy for the breakthrough to come through.

However, this remains a prime example of how use of technology in healthcare is beneficial in the long run. Over 6 million babies have been born through IVF since 1978 in US alone.

DEEP DIVE
AI Scribes: Health Systems’ Top Digital Priority

What is happening: Virtual health, digital front doors and generative AI were among the top digital transformation spending categories among health systems in a recent survey by McKinsey and Co.

At the confluence of the technology, AI scribes remain a priority for most health systems.

What are AI scribes: AI scribes are advanced software tools designed to assist healthcare professionals by automating the documentation process during patient interactions. These tools utilize artificial intelligence to transcribe conversations, extract relevant medical information, and input it into EHRs.

Here is how leading health systems are leveraging AI scribes and ambient clinical documentation to bring in efficiency.

  • UC Davis Health: AI scribes are helping address the "productivity paradox," receiving positive feedback from physicians for improving patient interaction and joy in practice.

  • Children's Hospital Los Angeles: The Nabla Copilot AI scribe is reducing clinician burnout, mental fatigue, and inefficiency by automating note-taking during patient visits.

  • Mass General Brigham: AI technology for documentation is alleviating clinician burdens, reducing costs, and enhancing patient experiences by allowing more focus on patient interaction.

Read more here.

DEEP DIVE
Developing A Patient Referral Tracking System

A patient referral tracking system provides a continuum of care. It streamlines the process of managing and monitoring referrals between healthcare providers, ensuring timely follow-up and improved patient outcomes.

The development of such a system involves integrating with electronic health records, automating notifications, and providing analytics to track referral efficiency and effectiveness.

Here are 5 features that you should consider when custom developing a patient referral management software.

  1. Appointment Scheduling

  2. Data Access and Exchange

  3. Reminders

  4. Integrations

  5. E-Prescriptions

Read more about what goes into the process of developing a referral management software for your practice and the benefits of having one here.

PULSE POINTS
Latest Breakthroughs This Week

Here’s the most important breakthroughs and advancements we spotted in the healthcare technology space this week.

  • AI in Medical Imaging: Microsoft, Mass General Brigham, and the University of Wisconsin are collaborating to advance AI in medical imaging. They aim to enhance clinician efficiency and health outcomes by using advanced algorithms and platforms like Nuance PowerScribe and Precision Imaging Network to aid in image interpretation, reporting, and disease classification.

  • Generative AI for Nurses: Mayo Clinic is partnering with Epic and Abridge to develop a generative AI documentation tool for nurses, integrated into the Epic EHR. This tool, designed specifically for nursing workflows and documentation, will use patient visit recordings to aid in building the AI. Mayo Clinic plans to pilot the platform in early 2025, with nurses helping to develop and verify its accuracy.

  • HealthTech Acquisition: GE HealthCare is acquiring Intelligent Ultrasound Group's clinical AI software business for $51 million. This acquisition will enhance GE HealthCare's ultrasound portfolio with AI-based technologies for OBGYN scans and add the company's R&D experts to its team. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024.

  • Digital Therapeutics: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS') proposed calendar year 2025 physician fee schedule rule, in which it proposed an assortment of new payments and coverage for digital health services, including digital therapeutics, telehealth and audio-only telehealth services.

  • Hospital AI Readiness Index: Mayo Clinic, Intermountain Health and Cleveland Clinic are the top 3 health system AI inventors. Read the whole list here.

DECODER
What Is A Headless EHR?

A headless EHR revolutionizes healthcare data management by separating the backend processing from the user interface. This innovative approach allows healthcare providers to choose or customize their own frontend applications while still benefiting from robust EHR functionalities.

With a headless EHR, organizations gain the flexibility to create tailored user experiences and seamlessly integrate with other systems, all without being locked into a specific vendor’s interface.

Read the pros and cons of opting for a headless EHR here.