How We Use AI in Patient Care

UMass Memorial Health uses artificial intelligence tools to support patient care and certain daily work. These tools are designed to assist our staff with specific tasks, while people remain fully in charge. AI does not replace a staff member’s clinical judgment. It’s used only to support, not direct, care. As the U.S. population continues to age and the supply of health care workers declines, AI can help address this growing care gap. AI enhances how our caregivers work, so they can focus even more on you and your needs.

Examples of How We Use AI

• Create medical notes from conversations during patient appointments: This allows staff members to focus more on listening and engaging with patients during visits rather than typing notes. The staff member carefully reviews the notes to ensure accuracy before the notes become part of the medical record.
• Review diagnostic images: This supports staff members as they evaluate test results.
• Help to identify emergency department patients who may need urgent attention after their initial evaluation: This allows staff members to focus first on the most serious cases so patients can receive care as quickly as possible.
• Review patient messages and elevate those that need quick attention: This helps providers respond faster.

Our Commitment to Responsible and Secure AI Use

We’re committed to using AI responsibly. Every digital tool we use, including AI tools, is thoroughly evaluated before it’s approved for use. When patient information is used with approved AI tools, it’s protected by the same privacy, security, and confidentiality safeguards that apply to all patient information at UMass Memorial Health. AI tools are used only for specific purposes and don’t have unrestricted access to patient information. Not all AI tools are used in every care setting or for every patient.