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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.

The construction of the TROY Athletics Indoor Practice Facility by Troy University in January marks a significant milestone. This $11.6 million facility is set to open in August, just in time for the fall camp ahead of the 2025 season. Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. emphasizes its importance, stating, "The indoor facility is an incredibly important addition to our football program— which is built upon a tradition of success." The university takes pride in its Trojans and acknowledges the support of the Trustees and the TROY family in making this facility a reality.

Enhancing the Football Program

The facility will be constructed behind Trojan Arena on one of the four existing grass practice fields adjacent to George Wallace Drive. Its brick exterior seamlessly blends with the architectural beauty across Troy's campus. Spanning 88,000 square feet, it features a fully covered 120-yard field with turf that replicates the playing surface in The Vet. This provides a state-of-the-art environment for the football team to train and prepare.President Pro-Tempore of TROY's Board of Trustees, Gibson Vance, expresses the collective support of the trustees. He says, "As trustees, we are committed to ensuring the success of our student-athletes, both in the classroom and on the field." This facility will play a crucial role in achieving that goal.

Multi-Use and Weather Resilience

The multi-use nature of the facility makes it primarily for the TROY Football program. However, it also serves as an option for other athletic programs during inclement weather when outdoor practice is not possible. This flexibility enhances the overall athletic experience at Troy University.Director of Athletics Brent Jones is thankful for the vision and support of Chancellor Hawkins and the Board of Trustees. He believes that this project is a critical piece of the university's continued success and will benefit not only the football program but also many other athletic programs.

Recent Facility Additions

The Indoor Practice Facility joins the North End Zone Facility, which opened in August 2018. These recent additions showcase Troy University's commitment to providing top-notch facilities for its athletes. The Trojans have a rich history in the Sun Belt Conference, with eight conference championships and 100 conference victories, making them the most successful program in league history.Football head coach Gerad Parker views this as a game changer for the program and the student-athletes. He expresses his gratitude to Chancellor Hawkins and the Board of Trustees for their support, stating that it will continue to elevate the program in the Sun Belt and nationally.An artist's rendering of the new indoor practice facility at Troy University gives a visual preview of what is to come. It showcases the attention to detail and the quality that Troy University is committed to providing.

MISSOULA — The construction of Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN)'s new warehouse adjacent to the Missoula airport is making significant strides and has even surpassed the initial schedule. This development holds great significance for the organization and the communities it serves across the state.

Empowering Hunger Relief with a Larger Warehouse

Expanded Capacity for a Greater Impact

The new warehouse being constructed by MFBN is set to be double the size of the existing facility. This substantial increase in space will enable MFBN to meet the ever-growing demand for their essential services. Currently, they can house 1,600 pallets of food at the new location, a remarkable boost from their previous capacity. With this expanded warehouse, MFBN will be better equipped to handle a larger volume of food donations and ensure that more people in need receive assistance.Moreover, the new warehouse will feature an office space for staff members. This dedicated area will provide a more conducive work environment and allow for potential growth in the staff team. As the demand for their services continues to rise, having additional office space will enable MFBN to efficiently manage their operations and serve more communities.

Overcoming Storage Challenges

One of the key challenges that MFBN has faced in the past is the limited warehouse space. This has often restricted their ability to take in a sufficient amount of product. However, with the construction of the new warehouse, they will no longer be bound by these limitations. The increased storage space will allow them to receive and store food more efficiently, ensuring that it is in and out of the warehouse on a quick basis. This will not only improve their operational efficiency but also enable them to meet the urgent needs of those facing food insecurity.As MFBN president and CEO Gayle Carlson mentioned, "One of the challenges that we really run into is a lot with the warehouse space. So we have pretty tight limitations on how much product we can take in, and we have to really time that so that we make sure it’s in and out on a quick basis. We just don’t have that storage space." The new warehouse will address these challenges and provide MFBN with the necessary resources to make a更大的 impact on hunger relief.MFBN is still actively seeking individuals to contribute to their fundraising efforts. By getting involved, people can help support the organization's mission and make a difference in the lives of those in need. Visit https://mfbn.org/get-involved/ for more information on how you can get involved and help end hunger.