Providence has developed an AI tool called Provaria to prioritize and manage incoming patient messages, allowing medical assistants to respond promptly to those with more urgent needs. The system categorizes messages and provides resources for medical assistants to craft replies, ensuring patients get the help they need quickly. The tool has been rolled out to all primary care providers in Providence, resulting in improved patient care and reduced administrative tasks for providers and medical assistants. Early research suggests that Provaria has been successful in achieving these goals, with a 50% reduction in median turnaround time reported by employees in Southwest Washington.
The development of Provaria was a quick process, taking less than three weeks from the rollout of the Azure OpenAI Service by Microsoft to the launch of the tool within the Providence system. The solution underwent thorough testing and evaluation within the Providence network to ensure its safety and effectiveness. Expert input from clinicians, ethicists, and other stakeholders was crucial in the development and adoption of the AI tool. Provaria is currently available to primary care providers in the seven states where Providence operates, with plans to expand the service to pediatricians and continue building resources for suggested responses.
The implementation of Provaria at Providence is part of a larger effort to use AI responsibly and empower caregivers to focus on tasks for which they are best qualified. The healthcare network is not planning to commercialize the tool, as its primary goal is to improve patient care and streamline administrative processes within the organization. The AI tools developed by Providence will be easily modifiable and updated as needed, allowing for flexibility in responding to emerging health issues or changes in medical protocols. Overall, Providence is committed to using technology in a way that benefits both patients and healthcare providers while maintaining a high standard of care.
Overall, the implementation of Provaria at Providence has been successful in improving patient care and efficiency within the healthcare network. The AI tool allows for prompt responses to patient messages, particularly those with more urgent needs, and has led to a significant reduction in turnaround time for message responses. The quick development and careful testing of the tool demonstrate Providence’s commitment to utilizing technology responsibly and ensuring the safety and effectiveness of AI tools in healthcare settings. The future plans to expand the service and continue building resources for medical assistants demonstrate Providence’s ongoing dedication to leveraging technology to enhance patient care and support healthcare providers in their daily tasks.
