Health IT titan Epic Systems revealed that it is working on over 100 artificial intelligence (AI) features that will be integrated into its electronic health record (EHR) software to help streamline processes for doctors and patients.
Taking the stage in a swan costume, Chief Executive Judy Faulkner made the announcement in front of thousands of healthcare executives during the company’s User Group Meeting (UGM) held in Veronica, Wisconsin.
UGM is an annual on-campus conference popular for its themed antics where attendees come in full costumes to hear about the latest advancements in Epic’s technologies. The company’s EHR system is a staple in US healthcare, managing medical records for more than 280 million Americans.
This year’s UGM, with the theme “storytime,” introduced updates about how AI is being combined with Epic’s offerings using patient data to simplify charting and documentation, as well as make research insights more accessible to doctors at the point of care.
Epic’s AI features
Of the over 100 AI features in progress, Epic announced that its generative AI will translate patient communication into plain language and automate prescription and laboratory orders by the end of 2024. They are also working on AI tools to streamline time-consuming routines, including drafting letters of insurance and reviewing prior authorization requirements.
By 2025, the company looks further ahead and expects its AI to pull in relevant medical data for doctors to review when responding to patients’ questions through its MyChart app.
Epic’s MyChart in-basket augmented response technology (ART) automatically drafts responses to patient messages, generating 1 million drafts every month, according to Faulkner. She added that it is currently deployed at 150 healthcare systems and medical groups.
“It saves clinicians about half a minute a message, and that can add up. And importantly, patients say they like it, and many prefer it. ART’s responses are often more empathetic than the very busy doctors,” she said. “I think that’s kind of funny. The machine is more human than the human.”
Another specialized AI feature to be expected next year is a tool that measures wound sizes from images to enhance care management significantly.
In addition to these, Epic unveiled a new scheduling app called “Teamwork” for physicians and nurses. The company also mentioned that it is investigating how its software could be used to revolutionize insurance claims submissions by removing the need for a middleman.
A sneak peek
Though most of these AI features are still in the early stages of development, Epic assured the audience of the potential of their technology using a live demonstration.
The demonstration saw the company’s Senior Vice President of Research and Development Seth Hain interacting with an AI agent through the MyChart app. The agent evaluated Hain’s wrist recovery after a supposed surgery and advised that he “should still wait a little longer” before playing pickleball again.
After the presentation, Hain emphasized that the demo took place in real-time without human intervention. So far, the company has not named this capability, saying it will likely be a few years before it becomes publicly available
″It is very, very, very early in regards to how and where the community, the broader medical community, will adopt that type of thing, but it’s viable,” he said.
