The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare continues to stir debate as hospitals experiment with cutting-edge technology to enhance patient care and reduce costs. At Dignity Health in Henderson, Nevada, the hospital's computer system recently flagged a newly arrived patient for sepsis, a severe reaction to infection. However, Adam Hart, working in the emergency room at the time, identified the patient as a dialysis patient—one with kidney failure. This incident underscores the complexities and potential pitfalls of relying on AI for critical medical diagnoses.
Dignity Health has been at the forefront of utilizing technology to improve healthcare delivery. The hospital is experimenting with an array of advanced tools, including sensors, microphones, and motion-sensing cameras. Among these innovations is an AI assistant provided by Qventus, which has been in use since January to facilitate communication between patients and healthcare providers, manage medical records, and summarize information for human staff.
The role of AI in healthcare has sparked national conversation, particularly among healthcare professionals. National Nurses United, the largest nursing union in the U.S., has organized over 20 demonstrations across the country advocating for nurses' rights to influence AI usage in their work environment. Michelle Mahon of National Nurses United emphasized the importance of nurses having a voice in AI integration and protection from repercussions when choosing to override automated advice.
"Hospitals have been waiting for the moment when they have something that appears to have enough legitimacy to replace nurses." – Michelle Mahon of National Nurses United
In Little Rock, the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences employs an AI assistant to efficiently manage pre-surgery preparations. Provided by Qventus, this technology aims to increase hospital revenue by accelerating surgical processes, reducing cancellations, and alleviating staff burnout.
Dr. Joseph Sanford highlighted the operational benefits of AI in healthcare:
"So what we need to do is find a way to call several hundred people in a 120-minute window — but I really don’t want to pay my staff overtime to do so."
Qventus's technology is currently being utilized by 115 hospitals, demonstrating its growing acceptance and potential advantages. The assistant can interpret facial expressions, body language, and other subtle cues, thanks to innovations from Xoltar, an Israeli startup specializing in humanlike avatars for patient interactions.
Xoltar's AI assistant, Ana, is designed to provide round-the-clock support in multiple languages, from Hindi to Haitian Creole, ensuring diverse patient needs are met. The assistant's humanlike interaction capabilities are intended to ease patient anxieties while facilitating efficient communication.
Despite the promising potential of AI in healthcare, there are concerns about its impact on healthcare practitioners. Adam Hart expressed apprehension regarding over-reliance on AI technologies:
"Turning over our thought processes to these devices is reckless and dangerous."
This sentiment reflects a broader concern among healthcare professionals about the balance between innovation and preserving the human element of patient care.
Collins, another advocate for cautious integration of AI, stated:
"We should embrace what it can do to augment our care, but we should also be careful it doesn’t replace the human element."
The ongoing debate highlights a critical question: How can hospitals leverage AI to enhance care without undermining the expertise and judgment of healthcare practitioners?
