Project Summary

The proposed project focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to support nursing documentation. Nursing documentation can take up to 50% of an inpatient nurse's shift, significantly reducing time available for direct patient care. The project aims to integrate AI tools, such as Abridge, Epic, and the Epic Rover app, to automate nursing documentation through ambient listening technology, thereby improving efficiency, reducing documentation time, and enhancing overall nursing satisfaction.

Recommended App Features

1. Care-Giver App:

   • Purpose: To assist nurses by automating documentation tasks through AI and streamline workflow integration.
   • Reasoning: The central challenge of this project is reducing the time nurses spend on documentation. A care-giver app, specifically designed to automate these tasks, would allow nurses to capture information via ambient listening while focusing on patient care. This app could integrate with existing systems (like Epic and Abridge) to ensure seamless recording and filing of information.
   • Benefit for the Project: Directly addresses the time burden of documentation by reducing manual charting, enabling nurses to spend more time with patients. This feature would help in real-time data capture, improve compliance, and reduce errors in documentation.
   • Benefit for Sutter Health Culture: Aligns with Sutter Health’s focus on operational efficiency and quality patient care by empowering nurses to dedicate more of their shift to hands-on patient interaction. It also supports the vision of technological innovation to enhance the workforce environment.

2. Collaborative Messaging or Community Features:

   • Purpose: To facilitate knowledge sharing and support for RNs adopting AI tools in their documentation workflow.
   • Reasoning: The adoption of AI-based documentation is a significant transition. A community feature would provide a space for nurses to share experiences, ask questions, and offer tips about using AI tools effectively. This would reduce resistance to new technology and help accelerate adoption.
   • Benefit for the Project: Provides peer support, helping RNs learn from each other and adapt more quickly to the AI technology. This feature can also act as a channel for collecting feedback and making iterative improvements to the AI system.
   • Benefit for Sutter Health Culture: Supports Sutter Health’s emphasis on a collaborative work environment, where staff members are empowered to learn and grow together. It helps build a sense of community among nursing staff, facilitating a smoother transition into AI-assisted workflows.

3. Onboarding App:

   • Purpose: To onboard nurses to AI-powered documentation tools, including interactive modules for using AI technology.
   • Reasoning: Many nurses may be unfamiliar or uncomfortable with AI-driven solutions. An onboarding app would help them understand the technology and how to use it efficiently, reducing the learning curve associated with integrating these tools into everyday practice.
   • Benefit for the Project: Ensures that nurses are properly trained on AI tools, which reduces implementation challenges and enhances overall effectiveness. It helps in building confidence in the new system, which is crucial for adoption.
   • Benefit for Sutter Health Culture: Highlights the organization’s commitment to staff development and education, ensuring that the transition to new technologies is supportive and efficient. This helps maintain morale and boosts staff satisfaction during times of change.

Recommended App Mix and Benefits

The best solution for this project would combine a care-giver app for automated documentation, collaborative messaging/community features, and an onboarding module for effective training.

1. Benefits to the Project:

• Efficiency in Documentation: The care-giver app automates manual charting, drastically reducing the time spent on documentation and allowing nurses to focus on patient care.
• Community-Driven Adoption: Collaborative messaging ensures peer-to-peer support, easing the transition to AI-assisted documentation.
• Effective Training and Adoption: Onboarding ensures that all nurses are comfortable with using new technology, reducing downtime during the transition.

2. Supporting Sutter Health's Culture and Brand:

• Commitment to Patient-Centered Care: Reducing time spent on documentation allows nurses to focus more on patient care, directly aligning with Sutter Health's “Patients First” approach.
• Innovative and Forward-Thinking: Integrating AI into nursing workflows showcases Sutter Health’s commitment to being at the forefront of healthcare innovation, enhancing the brand’s image as a technology leader.
• Staff Empowerment: Providing a supportive onboarding experience and community features ensures that the staff feels empowered, heard, and capable of navigating new technologies effectively, reflecting the organization’s value of continuous staff development and satisfaction.