Many hospitals and health systems are recognizing the significant benefits of artificial intelligence in clinical documentation, with Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana, leading the way.

Identifying the Issue

Reid Health, which serves east central Indiana and west central Ohio, faced a common challenge: clinician burnout. Physicians were overwhelmed with paperwork, often spending an additional two to three hours daily on documentation after hours, which affected their personal lives and well-being.

CIO Muhammad Siddiqui noted, “It wasn’t just about being busy; it was impacting their job satisfaction. We heard their frustrations, with some feeling hopeless and overwhelmed.” He emphasized the need for a solution that would restore time and joy to their work.

Proposed Solution

Instead of pursuing the latest technology trends, Siddiqui and his team sought a straightforward solution to alleviate the burden on clinicians. They found that ambient genAI technology was the answer. This technology allows doctors to focus on patient interactions while the AI captures the visit and generates clinical notes.

“No more typing during appointments or trying to recall details later. Just natural conversations turned into clinical notes, ready for review,” Siddiqui explained. “It felt less like using a tool and more like reclaiming a part of your day.”

Implementation Strategy

Reid Health initiated a pilot program in high-volume specialties such as family medicine, cardiology, and urgent care. Clinicians were involved from the beginning, using a secure app that listened during visits and created draft notes within minutes, directly in the electronic health record.

“The best part was that it didn’t disrupt their workflow. There were no extra steps or awkward technology in the room—just normal patient conversations,” Siddiqui noted. The AI was capable of handling multiple languages, which was crucial for their diverse community.

Results Achieved

The results were remarkable. Reid Health reported:

• 86% reduction in time spent completing notes.
• 34% decrease in after-hours documentation, allowing providers to leave on time.
• 87% improvement in documentation turnaround, enhancing patient communication.
• Over 90% of clinicians expressed a desire not to return to the previous documentation methods.
• A 40-55% reduction in clinician burnout.
• 34% decrease in after-hours work.

Reid Health has successfully generated 105,000 notes across 19 specialties using ambient genAI.

Advice for Other Institutions

Siddiqui advises other healthcare organizations to prioritize their people. “This isn’t just about technology; it’s about alleviating the emotional strain on caregivers. The greatest benefit isn’t just faster notes; it’s seeing doctors smile again and giving families their evenings back.”

He recommends involving clinicians from the start, focusing on overwhelmed areas, and ensuring robust change management. “Choose a tool that integrates smoothly with your existing systems and supports your diverse community,” he concluded.

For more insights, follow Bill Siwicki on LinkedIn: Bill Siwicki
Email him: bsiwicki@himss.org
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