Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in healthcare lags behind other sectors like finance and retail, generally paralleling the overall use of information technology. Challenges to using AI include the complexity of healthcare data, integration into clinical workflows, and the industry’s focus on short-term financial goals.
There are three key areas where AI can impact healthcare.
AI’s impact is most remarkable in revenue cycle management and claims processing, where it optimizes the financial interactions between providers and payers. AI can reduce the number of denied or delayed claims, thereby improving the financial health of healthcare organizations. It also enhances the patient experience by streamlining payment processes.
AI can improve clinical operations by optimizing workflows, particularly in high-stakes environments like the operating theater. It helps reduce scheduling days, enhances the utilization of operating rooms, and assists physicians in documenting in the EHR.
Organizations use AI to improve patient safety by developing algorithms to reduce adverse drug events, sepsis, and diagnostic errors. AI can integrate complex, unstructured data with measurable metrics to make predictive analyses that alert healthcare providers to potential risks, thereby improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.
In summary, AI has the potential to revolutionize various aspects of healthcare, from financial transactions to clinical operations and patient safety. While the technology is still in the early stages of adoption in healthcare, its promise for improving efficiency and outcomes is significant.
Source: Artificial Intelligence in U.S. Healthcare Delivery, NEJM, July 27, 2023
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