With the ability to identify diagnoses, sometimes years ahead of what humans can do, the U.S. healthcare system can use AI to practice more proactive, preventative medicine.

Monitor patients — wherever they are
Once a diagnosis has been made, AI-powered solutions, such as remote patient monitoring (RPM) platforms, can help monitor patients — both in a healthcare environment and at home. By collecting, analyzing and sharing information about a patient’s vital signs or other health indicators, AI solutions can empower providers to ensure appropriate patient treatment, even for patients not in the hospital.
This is especially useful when monitoring patients with chronic illnesses or those recovering from surgery. By keeping tabs on the patient’s state after they’ve left the hospital, doctors and nurses can ensure the patient’s well-being, without having to sacrifice a hospital bed. Plus, remote patient monitoring often quells patient anxiety, especially after a health-related episode, since they know they’re being watched by trusted professionals, even when at home.

In addition to supporting care at the individual level, AI solutions can help providers better manage their entire patient roster by providing insights into which patients require care most urgently. For example, if Patient A is recovering faster than expected following surgery, providers might decide to prioritize Patient B, who is in more dire need of care.

While AI can have a significant impact in clinical settings, it is not a magic bullet. The industry is still new, and providers must be wary of relying too heavily on AI. For instance, we’re still waiting on clear ethical guidelines on how AI should be used, and there are technical challenges, such as interoperability and poor data, that make implementation difficult.

So while human intervention is still critical, we can look forward to a future when AI gives clinicians the information they need to make more informed decisions — and more quickly.

About the author: Stewart Whiting is the co-founder and chief technology officer of Current Health.

Back to HCB News

U.S. Healthcare Homepage