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Day in the life of using an AI Medical Scribe

Published on
October 17, 2024
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David Danks
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AI medical scribes are revolutionizing healthcare by:

  • Reducing paperwork time by up to 3 hours daily
  • Achieving 95-98% accuracy in transcribing medical speech
  • Allowing doctors to focus more on patient care

Here's what you need to know:

  1. AI scribes listen to doctor-patient conversations and create detailed notes
  2. They integrate with Electronic Health Records (EHRs) for seamless documentation
  3. Doctors must review and edit AI-generated notes for accuracy
  4. Patient consent is required before using AI scribes
  5. HIPAA compliance and data security are crucial

Quick Comparison: AI vs. Human Scribes

Feature AI Scribes Human Scribes
Cost From $1.25 per visit $38,849 average yearly salary
Availability 24/7 Limited by work hours
Accuracy 95-98% for speech 85-90% for transcription
Speed Real-time notes Varies by person
Learning curve Initial setup and training Hiring and onboarding

While AI scribes offer significant time-saving benefits, they're not perfect. Doctors must still review notes, correct errors, and ensure patient privacy. However, many healthcare professionals find that the pros outweigh the cons, leading to improved work-life balance and more time for patient care.

What are AI medical scribes?

AI medical scribes are smart software tools that turn doctor-patient talks into detailed notes. They're digital helpers that work non-stop, letting doctors focus more on patients and less on paperwork.

How AI scribes work

These AI assistants use some impressive tech:

1. Speech recognition: They listen and type out conversations as they happen.

2. Natural Language Processing (NLP): This helps them get medical talk and pick out what's important.

3. Machine Learning: They get better over time, learning from each use.

4. EHR integration: Their notes can easily go into electronic health records.

Main features

AI medical scribes come with handy features:

  • They type as you talk
  • They make structured notes that follow medical rules
  • They're always available
  • They keep getting better with use

AI vs. human scribes

Here's how AI scribes compare to human ones:

Feature AI Scribes Human Scribes
Cost Lower (from $1.25 per visit) Higher ($38,849 average yearly salary)
Availability 24/7 Limited by work hours
Speed Real-time Varies by person
Accuracy 95-98% for speech 85-90% for transcription
Learning curve Needs initial setup and training Needs hiring and onboarding
Personalization Can be customized over time Can adapt to doctor's preferences quickly

AI scribes win on cost and availability, but human scribes might be better at handling unique situations. The best choice depends on what a practice needs and can afford.

Getting ready for the day

Setting up your AI medical scribe for daily appointments is crucial. Here's how to do it right:

Setting up the system

  1. Turn on your device and log in to the AI scribe software.
  2. Make sure your mic and other gear are connected properly.
  3. Do a quick audio test. Can the AI hear you clearly?
  4. Update the software if needed.

Keeping information private

Patient privacy is a BIG DEAL. Here's how to stay HIPAA-compliant:

  • Use strong, unique passwords
  • Turn on two-factor authentication
  • Make sure your AI scribe software follows HIPAA rules
  • Always sign out when you're done

"Health care providers need a signed business associate agreement (BAA) with vendors accessing their electronic protected health information (ePHI)."

This agreement spells out how the AI scribe service will keep patient data safe.

Checking the day's schedule

Before you start seeing patients:

  1. Look over your appointment list
  2. Note any special patient needs
  3. Get the AI scribe ready for any specific medical terms you'll use that day

Meeting with patients

When using an AI scribe, be upfront with patients. Here's how:

Telling patients about the AI scribe

Start each visit by explaining:

"I'd like to use an AI scribe to document our talk. It'll capture key details for your record, letting me focus on our conversation. Is that okay?"

This approach is clear and gives patients a chance to ask questions.

Getting patient approval

Always get the patient's okay. You can:

  • Ask for verbal consent
  • Use a consent form
  • Have an explanation card for patients who prefer reading

Note the patient's consent in their record.

Showing how it works

Once approved, demonstrate the AI scribe:

1. Turn on the system

2. Speak clearly, explaining your actions

3. Show the patient the screen (if appropriate)

You might say:

"The AI scribe will type our conversation. I'll review and edit the notes before adding them to your chart. Only our care team and those you allow will see your records."

Being open builds trust while using this tool.

If a patient isn't comfortable, be ready to take notes manually or dictate after the visit.

Taking notes

AI medical scribes are changing how doctors handle patient notes. Here's the process:

Writing notes

The AI scribe listens during patient visits and turns conversations into text. It picks up key medical terms and organizes info into a structured format.

Sunoh.ai, for example, can:

  • Capture main patient concerns
  • List symptoms and duration
  • Record physical exam findings
  • Note tests ordered or medications prescribed

This happens in real-time, letting doctors focus on patients.

Checking and fixing notes

After the visit, review the AI-generated notes:

1. Read the entire note

2. Check for errors or missing info

3. Add context or observations

4. Remove irrelevant or incorrect details

Dr. Sarah Chen, a family physician using MarianaAI, says:

"I spend 2-3 minutes reviewing each AI note. It's faster than writing from scratch, and I catch mistakes before they're part of the record."

Putting notes in patient records

Once reviewed, the notes go into the Electronic Health Record (EHR). Most AI scribes integrate with EHRs.

Sunoh Medical AI Scribe can:

  • Import reviewed notes into the EHR
  • Place info in correct fields
  • Link to relevant history or lab results

This saves time and cuts down on data entry errors.

Don't forget: Always double-check that notes are in the right patient's file before finalizing.

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Midday check

By lunch, take a quick look at your AI medical scribe's work. It's a smart way to catch issues early and keep your notes on track.

Checking accuracy

Spend 15-20 minutes reviewing the morning's notes. Look for:

  • Right patient info
  • Correct symptoms and diagnoses
  • Proper medical terms

Dr. Sarah Chen, a family physician using MarianaAI, says:

"I scan each note, focusing on key areas like medication changes and follow-ups. It takes about 2 minutes per note, but it's worth it for quality care."

Fixing problems

If you spot errors:

1. Flag incorrect notes for editing

2. Adjust AI settings if needed

3. Call tech support for big issues

Kaiser Permanente found AI scribes are about 85% accurate. You'll likely need to make some tweaks.

AI Scribe Issues Fixes
Missing key details Add info manually
Wrong medical terms Replace with correct ones
Jumbled structure Reorganize sections

The goal? Improve over time. Track common mistakes and work with your AI provider to fine-tune the system.

Dr. Hal Baker from WellSpan Health noticed a change after using DAX:

"Office managers have told me, 'Dr. Jones ate lunch today. He hasn't eaten lunch in 14 years.' This shows how AI scribes can give doctors time to take care of themselves too."

Good and bad points

AI medical scribes have pros and cons. Let's look at how they help doctors save time and the issues they might cause.

Saving time

AI scribes free up doctors' time:

  • Doctors spend 35% of their day on paperwork. AI scribes cut this down.
  • Less time on notes means more patient time or needed breaks.

Dr. Hal Baker from WellSpan Health noticed a big change:

"Office managers have told me, 'Dr. Jones ate lunch today. He hasn't eaten lunch in 14 years.'"

This shows AI scribes can help doctors take care of themselves too.

Some doctors now leave work earlier:

"I have a better work-life balance with my family. I leave work at work and get home earlier." - Andrea Partida, DO, obstetrician and gynecologist

Problems and fixes

AI scribes aren't perfect. Here are some issues and solutions:

Problem Fix
Medical term mistakes Check and fix errors
Accent or jargon issues Train AI on your speaking
Privacy worries Use HIPAA-compliant systems
Learning curve Get AI training

Remember, AI scribes help, not replace, human judgment. Dr. Anthony J. Mazzarelli, CEO of Cooper University Health Care, says:

"I believe a lot of doctors see patients for free. They get paid to do paperwork."

AI scribes aim to change this, letting doctors focus on patients.

To use AI scribes well:

1. Choose a system that fits your needs

2. Learn to use it properly

3. Always review AI's work

4. Give feedback to improve the system

Tips for using AI scribes well

Learning the system

To get the most out of AI medical scribes, you need to know how to use them. Here's what to do:

  1. Learn the basics
  2. Watch demos
  3. Practice using it

Dr. Sarah Chen from HealthTech Solutions says:

"We do training where staff practice with the AI scribe before using it with real patients. It works really well."

Making it work for you

AI scribes aren't one-size-fits-all. Customize it to fit your needs:

  • Adjust voice settings
  • Create templates
  • Set up shortcuts

Dr. Michael Roberts, a family doctor, shares:

"I spent an hour tweaking the settings. Now the AI scribe knows how I work. It's cut my paperwork time in half."

Keeping data safe

Protecting patient info is key. Follow these security best practices:

Do This Why
Use encryption Protects data
Set access controls Limits who sees info
Update software Fixes security issues
Train staff Prevents mistakes

Dr. Lisa Patel from MedSecure warns:

"AI scribes handle sensitive data. You MUST have strong security and train staff on HIPAA rules."

Wrap-up

AI medical scribes are reshaping healthcare. Here's the lowdown:

  • They slash paperwork time by up to 3 hours daily
  • They're 95-98% accurate in transcribing medical speech
  • Many clinics use a mix of AI and human scribes
  • There's a learning curve, but it's worth it
  • Data security is crucial - follow HIPAA rules

Dr. James Lee from Boston General Hospital says:

"AI scribes have transformed our daily routines. We're spending less time on admin and more with patients. It's not perfect, but it's a game-changer for healthcare efficiency."

Remember: Always double-check AI-generated notes. The tech's great, but your expertise is key.

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Introduction

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Meeting
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Conclusion

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